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ABSTRACT 



OF 



MILITARY RECORD 



OF 



WILLIAM CAREY BROWN 



U. S. A. RETIRED 



E/21 



NOTE 

In this abstract routine garrison duty has been 
passed over by a mere mention. It is the duty which 
falls to the officer as a matter of course and the credit- 
able performance of which is to be expected. It calls 
for no special notice. 

More prominence therefore is given to such 
detached service as is somewhat unusual and in which 
an officer's ingenuity, resourcefulness and energy are 
called into play. This is frequently followed by the 
testimony of disinterested officers as to how such ser- 
vice has been performed. 



AutJuc • 



ABSTRACT 

OF 

MILITARY RECORD 

OF 

COLONEL WILLIAM CAREY BROWN 

U. S. A. RETIRED 



Born December 19, 1854, at Traverse des Sioux, Nicollet 
County, Minn. 

Attended St. Peter, Minn. High School, 1871-2. 

Cadet U. S. M. A., July 1, 1873, to June 14, 1877, graduating 
No. 41 in his class. 

Additional 2d Lieutenant 2d Cavalry, June 15, 1877. 

Second Lieutenant 1st Cavalry, July 3, 1877. 

First Lieutenant, December 19, 1884 (1st Cavalry). 

Captain, November 6, 1896 (1st Cavalry). 

Major of Cavalry, July 28, 1904 (3d Cavalry). 

Lieutenant Colonel of Cavalry, March 11, 1911. 

Colonel of Cavalry, March 26, 1914. 

Assigned to 10th Cavalry, September 2, 1914. 

Bvt. First Lieutenant, February 27, 1890, for gallant service 
in action against Indians at Big Creek, Idaho, August 19, 1879, 
and in the reconnoissances of August 17 and September 25, 1879. 
Volunteer Service: Major 39th Infantry, August 17, and appoint- 
ment changed to 45th U. S. Infantry, August 27. 1899 (while 
Captain 1st Cavalry). Transferred to 42d U. S. Infantry, Sep- 
tember 14, 1899; honorably mustered out June 27, 1901. 

Joined Co. L., 1st Cavalry from graduating leave December 
16, 1877, at Ft. Walla Walla, W. T.. where he performed ordi- 

1878 
nary garrison duty until June 7, 1878, when he left post to par- 
ticipate in Bannock Indian campaign, being 4 months and 25 
days in the field during that year, and marching over 2,700 miles 
in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, participating in actions Birch 
Creek, Ore., July 8, and North Fork John Day R., Ore., July 20. 
Commanding Co. L, 1st Cavalry from August 3, 1878 until close 
of campaign, when it arrived (Oct. 28, 1878) at Ft. Klamath, Ore. 



1879 

Performed ordinary garrison duty until May 2, 1879, when, 
until May 12, 1879, escorting Indian prisoners to Ft. Van- 
couver, W. T., when ordered to join and assist in organization 
Co. Umatilla Indian Scouts, Umatilla Indian Agency, Ore. July 
1-5, scouting in Umatilla Indian Reservation. July 8, 1879, left 
Umatilla Agency with Lieutenant Farrow's command of 20 Indian 
Scouts, 7 enlisted men, and pack train for Salmon River Moun- 
tains, Idaho, to co-operate with infantry command under Lieu- 
tenant Catley and Captain Bernard's Co. G, 1st Cavalry in oper- 
ations against Sheepeater and Bannock Indians in the then un- 
explored and almost inaccessible region of Middle Idaho. 

After scouting through Seven Devils Mountains the scouts 
joined the commands of Bernard in Long Valley and Catley on 
Elk Creek and acted as advance guard to the Big Creek country 
where Catley had been defeated. Hostile s were struck and their 
camp captured on Big Creek August 19 and a running fight 
ensued. Bernard in his dispatch that date reported: 

"The country is very rough, probably the roughest in the 
United States. The Indians have but little stock; much of the 
property taken from Lieutenant Catley's command was found 
In the Indian camp. Lieutenants Farrow and Brown deserve 
the greatest credit for bravery and energy displayed since under 
my command. Their scouts also did splendidly. The entire 
command was kept close to the scouts during the chase." 

The infantry and cavalry commands being obliged to with- 
draw for lack of supplies the Scouts made another effort, again 
struck the hostiles, the results being as indicated in the follow- 
ing appendix to the annual report of the Department Comman- 
der: 

TELEX5RAM 

Vancouver Barracks, Washington, 
To Assistant Adjutant General, October 9. 1879. 

Division of the Pacific, 
Presidio, California. 

My annual report indicated a failure in the main object of the 
expedition against the Sheepeaters and renegades located between 
Little Salmon and Snake Rivers. 

Now it is reversed, and the expedition has handsomely been 
completed by Lieutenant Farrow and his scouts, having defeated the 
Indians in two skirmishes, capturing their camp with stores and 
stock. He has finally forced the entire band to surrender, and will 
deliver them as prisoners of war at this post. 

Lieutenant Farrow, Twenty-first Infantry, and W. C. Brown, First 
Cavalry, with the seven enlisted men, citizen employes, and Indian 
scouts, deserve special mention for gallantry, energy, and perseverance, 
resulting in success. There is not a rougher or more difficult country 
for campaigning in America. 

Please add this to my report. HOWARD, 

Commanding Department. 

(See report. Secretary of War for 1879, Vol. 1, p. 163.) 



— 3 — 

The Commanding General Department, Columbia, October 
20, 1879, in letter to the Adjutant General, U. S. A., calls especial 
attention to excellent conduct of Lieutenant Farrow, 21st In- 
fantry, commanding Indian scouts, and his assistant, 2d Lieu- 
tenant W. C. Brown, 1st Cavalry, and states this force has been 
operating during the summer together with infantry and cav- 
alry against renegade hostile Bannocks and Piutes and a band 
known as "Sheepeaters." These Indians occupied a portion of 
territory between Snake and Little Salmon Rivers as rough, 
broken and inaccessible as any in the country. Troops labored 
from June 1st until severe weather obliged the authorizing their 
return. Indians were struck once by force of 50 men under 
Lieutenant Catley, 2d Infantry, when troops were repulsed and 
obliged to withdraw, and again by Indian scouts supported by 
cavalry under Captain Bernard, when Indians were driven from 
their stronghold and their camp captured by Lieutenants Farrow 
and Brown. After my orders to withdraw troops from field, 
excepting command of Lieutenant Farrow, which then consisted 
of Lieutenant Brown, seven soldiers and twenty Indian scouts, 
Lieutenant Farrow, receiving new information concerning loca- 
tion of hostiles, again started in pursuit and with ceaseless 
perseverance and resolution pursued them over miles of this 
exceedingly rough country and succeeded, with his small com- 
mand, in capturing every one of the band. These Indians have 
given much trouble, committed many murders and depredations, 
seeking easy security in the fastness of their almost impreg- 
nable haunts. But for gallantry, skill and energy oi Lieutenants 
Farrow and Brown I should have been obliged next summer to 
put another and larger force into the field * ♦ * Therefore 
1 recommend that * * * the brevet of 1st lieutenant be 
conferred upon 2d Lieutenant W. C. Brown, 1st Cavalry, for 
distinguished perseverance, energy and gallantry in action 
against the hostile Indians of Middle Idaho, expedition of 1879, 
which operations resulted in the capture of the entire band. 

Heavy snows had set in before the last of the Indians had 
surrendered. The scouts and their prisoners then started back 
and by October 22, 1879, all had arrived back at Umatilla Agen- 
cy, and November 14 Lieutenant Brown rejoined company at Ft. 
Klamath, performing ordinary garrison duty during the remain- 
der of year. Field service in 1879, 6 months and 10 days. Dis- 
tance marched, 2,3r>5 miles. Lieutenant Brown during this cam- 
paign made the first map of Middle Idaho, the Department En- 
gineer reporting it "a valuable addition to our knowledge of an 
almost unknown section." 



_4 — 

1880 

January 1, 1880 to March 31, 1880, Quartermaster and Com- 
missary Ft. Klamath and usual garrison duty until June 5, when 
ordered to accompany Co. F, 21st Infantry, to Vancouver Bar- 
racks, and July 3 was ordered to Ft. Walla Walla, Wash., to re- 
port to Captain Bendire for topographical work in connection 
with a scout ordered in interests of Smithsonian Institution in 
S E. Washington and adjacent country. Duty completed Sep- 
tember 12, and his commanding officer reported: 

"Lieutenant Brown has taken great pains to collect us as 
full information as possible of the country traveled over, as well 
as of that lying adjacent thereto, and he will be able to furnish a 
very complete and correct map of sections of country about 
which there is not very much known as yet." (See App. to Kept. 
Sec. War for 1880, Vol. 1, p. 205.) 

Returned Vancouver Barracks and thence directly across 
mountains from Roseburg to Ft. Klamath with view to locating 
trail for military purposes through this wild section. Miles 
marched in 1880, 1,052; field service, 2 months 13 days. 

1881-2 

On leave of absence, November 25, 1880, to March 15, 1881, 
when he rejoined his company at Ft Klamath, July 20 to 29, 
1881, again making survey for trail from Ft. Klamath to Rose- 
burg, Ore. August 27 to October 31, assisting in construction of 
100 miles of telegraph lines, Ashland to Ft. Klamath, Ore. Cap- 
tain G. H. Burton, the commanding officer, reports himself in- 
debted to Lieutenant Brown "for a cheerful, zealous and intelli- 
gent performance of all and various kinds of work asssigned" in 
connection with this construction. 

November 20 to December 20, 1881, escorting prisoners to 
Vancouver Barracks and en route to Ft. Leavenworth, Kans., 
whence he was ordered to take course of instruction at the In- 
fantry and Cavalry school. Ft. Leavenworth was Lieutenant 
Brown's proper station until July 1, 1885. The Infantry and 
Cavalry school inaugurated by General Sherman, with Lieutenant 
Colonel E. S. Otis as commandant, dates from December 1, 1881. 
(See G. O. 42. A. G. O., 1881.) The students were one lieutenant 
from each regiment of cavalry and infantry divided into two 
classes and each class into two sections, according to qualifica- 
tions as determined by examination. Lieutenant Brown was 
assigned to 1st Section, 1st Class. 



— 5 — 

No specially detailed instructors being furnished by the 

War Department, these were taken from officers on duty at the 

post, and from the students themselves. Lieutenant Brown being 

one of the latter, and from the commencement and during nearly 

the entire course until graduation in June, 1883, Lieutenant 

Brown was an instructor in various branches, such as Hamley's 

Operations of War, Cavalry Tactics, etc., although taking the 

course as a student at the same time, as for example. Orders, 

May 31, 1882, stated: 

"Maj. Poland is relieved as Instructor in Woolsey's International 
Law and 2nd Lt. W. C. Brown, 1st Cav., is substituted in his stead." 

Lt. Brown stood No. 5 in the 1st Class at the end of the first 
year. 

In his instructions for the conduct of affairs at the school 
General Sherman directed that at the conclusion of examina- 
tions, "special mention be made of each officer who deserves it. 
a report of which will also be made and forwarded for publica- 
tion and such use as may hereafter be determined." 

Following this requirement in his first annual report. Colonel 
Otis says, "The Staff expressed its final deliberations as fol- 
lows: * * * 

The following named officers of the first class, having been in- 
structors of either the first ovi second class in addition to their indi- 
vidual! studies, and having acquitted themselves creditably, are espec- 
ially recommended to their superior authority: 

First Lieutenant T. E. True, Fourth Infantry; 

Second Lieutenant Arthur Williams, Third Infantry; 

Second Lieutenant W. C. Brown, First Cavalry. 

(See p. 7, History Army Service Schools.) 

The following G. O. was issued by the A. G. O., H. Q. A.: 

General Orders, 

No. 2. HEADQUAKTP:HS OF THE ARMY, 

Adjutant General's Office, 

Washington, Januarv 3, 188.3. 

The following manual (prepared by Lieutenant W. C. Brown, 1st 

Cavalry, and recommended by a board of officers at the Infantry and 

Cavalry School at Fort Leavenworth) is arproved, and will be used 

for all arms provided with the stacking swivel: 

Here follows detailed instructions: 

During his tour at the Infantry and Cavalry school Lieuten- 
ant Brown compiled a memorandum of Decisions on Points of 
Tactics for use at the school. It was subsequently reprinted for 
the National Guard of Wisconsin, New York and Pennsylvania, 
and finally reprinted by the War Department. On an applica- 
tion for leave of absence the commandant endorsed the follow- 
ing: 

"Post of Ft. Leavenworth, Kans., May 22, 1883. Respectfully for- 
warded to Headquarters Department of the Missouri. Lt. Brown 
has been a most useful officer during his tour of duty at the Post, 



— 6 — 

both as an occasional instructor in the School and as a duty officer 
of the garrison. As a student he has taken the full course of instruc- 
tion prescribed for the first class of the School and has therein shown 
marked ability. He deserves the indulgence requested." * » • 

E. S. OTIS. Col. 20th Inf. Comdg. 

On an application submitted some years later by Captain 
Brown to take the War College course. General Otis endorsed 
as follows: 

Headquarters Department of the Lakes. 

Chicago, 111., December 23. 1901. 
Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant General of the Army: 

I was in charge of the Ft. Leavenworth School during four years 
enrtiner witli 1<SS4* while Ihe school there was organized and developed. 
Captain I3rown was both student and instructor in both capacities 
the first two years, and as instructor during the remaining period. 
He was a zealous and indefatigable worker, with quick mental per- 
ceptions, retentive memory and power to impart instruction, and hence 
became not only a student of high standing but an assistant instructor 
of ability. He has conveyed in this his application a very fair idea 
of the appreciation in which his services at Ft. Leavenworth were 
held by the commanding officer and the staff of the school. 
*1SS5 E. S. OTIS. 

Major General, U. S. Army. 

At the conclusion of the course of instruction the staff of 
the school in Cir. of July 3, 1883, reported the proficiency and 
relative merit of the student officers, "in professional attain- 
ments as exhibited by recorded class standing in the school and 
their records of services as officers of the post during the entire 
course of instruction extending over a period of nearly two years, 
as follows: Five officers (one being Lieutenant Brown) of the 
first class were reported as having shown marked proficiency and 
scholarship." 

Lieutenant Brown's class standing for the second year was 
No. 2, and for the entire two year course. No. 5. 

Certain student officers were reported by the school staff as 
having shown aptitude for command, position in staff depart- 
ments and recommended as being specially fitted for professional 
employment in: 

Adjutant General's Department. 

Quartermaster and Subsistence Department. 

Judge Advocate, 

Surveying, Topography and Field Fortification, 

Signaling and Telegraphy, 

Field Officers of Volunteers, 

Battery Commanders. 

Lieutenant Brown was one of the two officers to be recom- 
mended for professional employment under all of the above 
heads. He was also one of the two officers detailed by War 
Department orders immediately after graduating as instructors. 



— 7 — 

(S. O. No. 5, A. G. O., 1883.) He was in addition to his other 
duties assigned to and served for the two subsequent years in 
Light Battery, 2d Artillery. 

1884 
September 23, 1884, was detailed as member of board "to 
take under consideration and report on the merit of the method 
of handling the barrack bag at inspection in heavy marching 
order." 

1885-90 

June 1 to 15, 1885, Post Adjutant, Fort Leavenworth, Kans. 
July 1, relieved from duty at Infantry and Cavalry School and 
ordered, after delay of one month, to join regiment. 

July 22, 1885, ordered to report to Superintendent U. S. M. A., 
at West Point for duty as adjutant of the academy. Served in 
that capacity from August 1, 1885, to June 30, 1890 (4 years and 
11 months) under Colonels Merritt, Parke and John M. Wilson. 
February 1, 1888, received thanks of Surgeon General, U. S. A., 
on behalf of the Medical Department for tactical assistance rend- 
ered in the preparation of a Provisional Manual for the Instruc- 
tion of Hospital Corps as follows: 

War Department, 
Surgeon General's Office, 
Washington, D. C. Feb. 1. 1888. 
1st Lieut. W. C. Brown, 
1st U. S. Cavalry, 

U. S. Military Academy, 
West Point, New York. 
Sir: 

The Manuscript of a Provisional Manual for the instruction 
of men of the Hospital Corps and Company Bearers has been re- 
ceived at this office, and after careful consideration has been approved 
and sent to the Public Printer. It will be issued to the Army when 
bound. 

The necessary introduction of tactical formations into the or- 
ganization of the Hospital Corps involved such radical changes that 
the assistance of officers of the line having experience and good 
judgment was of peculiar value in the production of the work and 
has produced most gratifying results. 

I desire to express my appreciation of the interest you have dis- 
played in the work and to thank you on behalf of the Medical 
Eyepartment for the valuable assistance rendered in its preparation 
Very respectfully. 
Your obedient servant, 

JOHN MOORE. 
Surgeon General, U. S. Army. 

In April, 1888. Lieutenant Brown was a member of board 
convened by direction Secretary of War for the purpose of con- 
sidering the n)atter of extending the limits on the south of the 
reservation at West Point. (See Mis. Doc. No. 119, U. S. S. 50 
Cong., 1st Sess.) 



— 8 — 

Upon the relief of Lieutenant Brown as Adjutant of U. S. 
Military Academy, an order of which the following is an extract, 
was published: * * * 

* * * In severing the close official relations that have existed 
between the Superintendent and the Adjutant during the past year, the 
former desires to express his sincere thanks for the energy, skill and 
ability displayed by Lieutenant Brown in the discharge of every 
duty devolving upon him. 

Faithful, energetic and untiring, his earnest efforts have been to 
uphold the dignity and maintain the high reputation of the Military 
Academy * • • ." (See Orders No. 118, Headqrs. U. S. Mil. Acdy., 
June 30. 1890.) 

Colonel Wilson, two years later (September 14, 1892), in 
recommending Lieutenant Brown's detail in the Bureau of Mili- 
tary Intelligence, stated: 

U. S. Military Academy, 
West Point, N. Y., Sept. 14, 1892. 
To the Adj. Genl., U. S. Army, 

Washington, D. C. 
General: 

In connection with the detail of officers of the Army for duty with 
the bureau of Military Intelligence, I have the honor to invite your 
attention to 1st Lt. W. C. Brown of the 1st Cavalry, who, from 1885 
until 1890, a period of five years, so satisfactorily performed the 
important duties of Adjt. of the U. S. Military Academy. 

Lieutenant Brown is an officer of the highest character, intelli- 
gence, energetic, faithful, industrious and peculiarly well fitted for 
duty in the bureau mentioned. 

I commend him to your favorable consideration, believing that 
his assignment would prove highly satisfactory to your department. 
Very respectfully, 

JOHN M. WILSON, 
Col. of Engineers, Supt. U. S. M. A. 

July 1 to September 1, 1890, on leave of absence from the 
Military Academy, being relieved September 1. Reported Sep- 
tember 8, 1890, at Ft. Assinniboine, Mont., where he assumed 
command of Troop C, 1st Cavalry. 

1891 

November 30, 1890, to February 6, 1891, participated in Win- 
ter Campaign in Southeastern Montana against the Sioux. 
September 21 to October 30, 1891, commanding troop on surveying 
and mapping duty northwest of St. Mary's Lakes (now Glacier 
National Park), Montana. Believed to have penetrated basin of 
North Fork, St. Mary's River, farther than any point previously 
reached by white men. 

1892 

April, changed station to Ft. Grant, Ariz. July 19-28, scout- 
ing in Galiuro Mountains after renegade Apache Indian "Kid." 
September 16 to December 4, in charge of a survey ordered by 
the President of the Navajo Indian Reservation with view to es- 



— 9 — 

tablishing a system of irrigation and developing the water sup- 
ply for Navajo Indians. The Department Commander (General 
McCook) in forwarding the report stated that it had "been care- 
fully scrutinized by me and receives my approval in every par- 
ticular." Full account of this work, with maps, etc., was pub- 
lished in E^x. Doc. No. 68, U. S. Senate, 52d Cong., 2d Sec. For 
appropriations ($40,000), made presumably in pursuance of this 
report, see Indian Appn. Bill for year ending June 30, 1893. (U. 
S. Stat, at Large, 52d Cong., Vol. 27, pp. 627-628.) 

1893 

January 28, tendered, by authority of the President, through 
General McCook, appointment as Acting Agent Navajo Indians. 
Declined. 

January 2 to March 8, on special duty surveying and super- 
intending extension of Water System, Ft. Grant, Ariz. 

June 9 to August 7, on special duty as World's Columbian 
Exposition, Chicago. 

November 20, changed station to San Carlos, A. T. 

May 3 to September 28, on special service under orders of 
the Adjutant General of the Army. 

1894-5 

September 29, 1894, to Jatiuary 28, 1895, on leave of absence 
in Europe, much of the time being employed in investigating the 
use of aluminum in manufacture of military equipments in Eng- 
land, France, Germany, Austria and Italy. (See M. I. D., Series 
No. 8, pp. 229-236.) Relieved from duty in A. G. O. January 29, 
1895. and ordered to rejoin troop at Ft. Grant, Ariz., by Feb- 
ruary 18, 1895. 

April 3, 1895, changed station to San Carlos, A. T. 

May 6, 1895, ordered by telegram to report to the Adjutant 
General, U. S. A., by May 20, 1895, for special service. 

1896 

During the greater part of this year Lieutenant Brown was 
Chief of the Militia Section, A. G .0., and compiled "The Organ- 
ized Militia in the U. S. in 1896," published as No. 13, M. I. D., 
Series No. 13, Doc. 32. A. G. O. 

In charge of Military Information Division, A. G. O., July 31 
to August 16. and for about two weeks was Chief of the Map Sec- 
tion, M. I. D. November 21, upon promotion to captaincy, re- 
lieved from duty in A. G. O. and joined Troop E, 1st Cavalry, at 
Ft. Sill. Oklahoma, December 4, 1896. 




— 10 — 

WORK WITH THE EMERGENCY RATION 

March 28, detailed by S. O. 74, A. G. O., as member of a 
board "to consider and recommend a proper ration for troops 
operating in emergencies." This was the first Emergency Ration 
adopted by the U. S. and was not tinned. 

1897 

May 17-29, engaged with Troop E, 1st Cavalry, in making 
a test of the Emergency Ration on the Kiowa and Comanche 
Reservation, Oklahoma. Troop lived on one-half the then Emer- 
gency Ration, or one pound of food per day; marches averaged 
over 21 miles per day. Men lost three pounds per man in weight, 
but pulled in the aggregate a ton more on the Dynamometer the 
last day than on the first. Scientific features of the experiment 
were reported on by Major Chas. Smart, Medical Department, 
sent from War Department to accompany troop and observe the 
test. (See Rept. Surg. Gen. for 1897.) 

No transportation was used on this march; all rations, equip- 
ment, etc., being carried on the saddle, it being desired to dem- 
onstrate that cavalry could, with the Emergency Ration, if neces- 
sary, be independent of transportation. Horses lived on grass. 
Advantage was taken of this march to experiment with and test 
various styles of cooking usensils and shelter tents of foreign 
manufacture on which full report was submitted. 

The Emergency Ration was not used in the Spanish War, 
but while in camp at Montauk Point, Captain Brown, at the di 
rection of Colonel Roosevelt, prepared a report setting forth the 
advantages which would have accrued if troops had been sup 
plied with it. 

Captain Brown's Lyceum Subject in February, 1899, was on 
the same subject and having attracted the notice of the Depart- 
ment Commander, he (General Merriam), caused his aide (Lieu- 
tenant Graves) to write: 

"The Department Commander deems it of such value to the ser- 
vice that he would like your permission to forward it to the Adjutant 
General of the Army for the dissemination of the valuable information 
and suggestion contained therein." 

Subsequently (October, 1905) the U. S. Infantry Journal pub 
lished a professional article by Major Brown, entitled, "A Plea 
for the Emergency Ration." See also Colonel Brown's recom- 
mendation of April 10, 1918 (p. 40) that Emergency Rations be 
supplied our troops in the trenches in France to replace the so- 
called reserve ration as the E. R. is a tinned individual ration 



— 11 — 

safe from exposure to mustard gas. It is also lighter (1% lbs. 
gross) and less bulky than the reserve ration. 

The Commissary General of Subsistence acknowledged Cap- 
tain Brown's services to his department in the following letter: 

"War Department. 
Office Commissary General of Subsistence, 

Washington, D. C, Nov. 2, 1897. 
To the Honorable the Secretary of War, Washington, D. C: 
Sir: 

I have the honor to recommend Captain W. C. Brown, 1st 
Cavalry, as a careful and industrious officer who would fill acceptably 
such position as he may seek. 

Captain Brown has been of service to the Subsistence Department 
as Recorder of the Supervisory Board upon the emergency ration, and 
in conducting a practice march where it was used. He was also of 
assistance in preparing the latest edition of "The Manual for Army 
Cooks." 

Very respectfully, 

(Signed) MICHAEL. R. MORGAN, 
Commissary General of Subsistence." 

On duty at various times during 1897 escorting funds for 
Indian Agent on Kiowa and Comanche Reservation. 

1898 

April 24, left Ft. Sill with Troop E, 1st Cavalry, for Chicka- 
mauga Park, Ga., and remained there until May 14, when regi- 
ment left for Ringgold to entrain for Lakeland, Fla., reaching 
there May 16. Left Lakeland and boarded U. S. C. T. Leona at 
Tampa, June 1, and sailed with Shaffer's Expedition to Cuba, 
June 14. Disembarked at Daiquiri, June 23. 

Commanding Troop E, 1st Cavalry, at battle of San Juan, 
July 1, 2 and 3, and participated in siege and surrender of San- ^ 

tiago de Cuba, July 4-17. \"'i ' \ y .(ulC/otx 7 ' < « ' "ti vw, \-*>Ai ] fT^l 

July 18, moved and established camp west of El Caney. /J^c *(. s y^vwv 

August 7, broke camp; marched 1^/^ miles to train, thence fls-oCa^. 
by railroad to Santiago and embarked for the U. S. on U. S. C. T. 
Matteawau. August 15, anchored ofi Long Island. August 17, 
disembarked and proceeded to Camp Wykoff. Montauk Point, 
L. I., N. Y. 

September 28, left Camp Wykoff with troop for Ft. Washakie, 
Wyo., and arrived at Rawlins, October 2, and at Ft. Washakie, 
October 14, and assumed command of post. 

1899 
In August 1899, when volunteer regiments with field officers 
from the regular army were being organized for service in the 
Philippines, the following letter was sent to the War Depart- 
ment in support of Captain Brown's claims for recognition in 
this connection: 



— 12 — 

"State of New York, Executive Chamber, Albany, 

August 20, 1899 
Hon. Elihu Root, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. 

My dear Mr. Secretary — I should have included in my recom- 
mendations the name of Captain W. C. Brown, now on duty at Fort 
Washakie, Wyoming. In fact, I think Captain Brown and * • * 
were almost the two best among the many good men whom 
I last recommended to you. Captain Brown is a peculiarly thoughtful 
man, excellent in the field, and at the same time excellent for head- 
work. He would make an invaluable field officer for a fighting regi- 
ment, or possibly even better in the Inspector General's or Adjutant 
General's Departments. You see that the fine fellow asks that if he 
cannot get a promotion he wants merely a leave of absence to enable 
him to go on active duty. He would be a credit to the Army and I 
back him up most heartily. I enclose his papers. 
Faithfully yours, 
(Signed) THEODORE ROOSEVELT." 

Performing ordinary garrison duty until August 19, when 
appointed to volunteers. (See p. 1.) Left post August 25 and 
arrived at Ft. Snelling, Minn., reporting to Colonel J. H. Dorst. 
Commanding 45th U. S. V. Inf. on August 31 for whom Major 
Brown acted as adjutant until September 15. On September 2, it 
being apparent that the lieutenant colonelcy in the 45th Infantry 
was vacant. Colonel Dorst telegraphed an oflScer at the War De- 
partment asking that it be filled by promotion of Major Brown, 
stating, "His knowledge of papers and detail make him invalu- 
able as my chief assistant." 

September 15, transferred to 42d U. S. Inf. (Ft. Niagara. 
N. Y.), where he reported September 18 to Lieutenant Colonel 
J. H. Beacom, commanding regiment, organization of which had 
just begun. Major Brown was assigned to command of 1st Bn., 
October 3d. Organization having been completed entire regiment 
left October 30 for Presidio of San Francisco, arriving Novem- 
ber 6. 

November 30, left San Francisco in command 1st Bn. and 
Cos. E and F, 42d Infantry on U. S. C. T. Dalny Vostock, arriv- 
ing Manila Bay, December 31, 1899. 

1900 
January 2, disembarked and took station at La Loma Church. 
This was followed in a week by change of station to the Pumping 
Station where smallpox was contracted resulting in being sent to 
hospital in Manila until February 27. He had no further service 
with the 1st Bn. until April 21, 1901. Major Brown was (Feb- 
ruary 28) sent to Pasig until March 7, and Taguig until March 
20, when until April 1 he was engaged in making a field inspec- 
tion of the 1st (Hall's) Brigade of 1st Division at various sta- 
tions near Manila. 



— 13 — 

April 3, assumed command at Paete where insurgents had 
been active and the duly called for frequent scouting and clashes 
w;th insurgents. During this time (April 13-17) Major Brown 
was ordered to Manila to take the examination with some thirty 
other captains for appointment in the A. G. and I. G. Depart- 
ments. The next change was to Malabon, arriving there June 7 
with his Paete command, Cos. E. & F, 42d Infantry. On June 23 
he returned to Pasig and commanded that station until July 24 
when, having been appointed Acting Inspector General of the 
4th (Funston's) District of Northern Luzon, he reported at Dis- 
trict Headquarters at San Isidro July 29 and remained on this 
duty until April 20, 1901. 

This was during the period of gueinlla warfare carried on by 
the Insurgents, and during these nine months from one to two 
minor engagements a week took place in one of which Major 
Brown participated at Santa Cruz, October 13, and another on 
January 25, at Malimba R. The latter was preceded by a scout 
(January 15-22) in the mountains east of San Isidro. These en- 
gagements are described in General Funston's "Memoirs of Two 
Wars," pp. 377 and 381-3, the latter also in the following tele- 
graphic report: 

"San leidro, January 25, 1901. 
Ad.1utant General, D. N. L. Manila. 

I left here on a scout at daybreak today and have just returned. 
Was accompanied by Major W. C. Brown, 42nd Infantry, Acting In- 
spector General of District, my Aide Lieutenant Mitchell, Lieutenant 
Sheldon, Acting Assistant Surgeon Chamberlain and twentv-flve en- 
listed men all mounted. In the morning Lieutenant Sheldon's detach- 
ment killed five Insurgent Soldiers of Sixto Francisco's Band. In 
the afternoon on Malimba River near north end of Canadaba Swamp 
we struck a band of about thirty Insurgents under the notorious 
bandit Tagrunton. Owing to a deep ravine and high grass we were 
greatly hampered in our attack. Tagunton, attempting to escape, 
was shot and killed by Major Brown who got him with a new Colt's 
Automatic Pistol at seventy-five yards. A very sharp skirmish ensued 
lasting for a few moments when the enemy fled into the jungle of 
high grass where pursuit was impossible. In addition to Tagunton 
we found one Insurgent mortally wounded. We captured one Rem- 
ington rifle, one revolver, small quantity of ammunition, two good 
ponies, with equipment, and much correspondence. We had no 
casualties. Tagunton has been the author of nearly all the assassi- 
nations that have taken place near here and Is the man who has 
attempted several times to burn San Isidro. His grade has been that 
of a Commandante but on his body was found his commission as 
Lieutenant Colonel by Lacuna on Januai->' 12th. He was assigned as 
successor to Nativadad in command of the Guerilla Band of this 
region. He was much feared and his death will have a very bene- 
ficial effect. 

(Signed) FUNSTON. 

Brigadier General." 
1901 

The following, unknown by Major Rrown until years later, 

was filed at the War Department with his efficiency reports: 

"1901. Honorable Theodore Roosevelt. Vice-President of the 
United States, in a letter dated March 12, 1001, to the Secretary of 



— 14 — 

War, said: 'Let me respectfully call your attention to the case of 
Captain William C. Brown, of the Regular Service, who has just 
distinguished himself by a particularly neat surprise of the bandit 
chief Lieutenant Colonel Tomas Tagunton. He not only possesses 
exceptional gallantry and energy, but he has made a study of his 
profession in matters of equipment, commissariat and the like which 
really fit him to render the utmost possible service to the Army. He 
served with, and afterwards under me at Santiago. He was an ex- 
ceptionally fine officer." 

The activities of the insurgents, indifferent roads and trails 
and widely scattered stations, necessitated the inspector usually 
going mounted with a small escort, although frequently the jour- 
neys were made by water, as in case of inspections at Baler on 
the east coast. On his last visit to that station Major Brown was 
so fortunate as to make the trip around Luzon with the noted 
Expeditionary Force which captured Aguinaldo. (See General 
Funston's account of this exploit in Everybody's for September, 
1901, p. 268.) 

Major Brown was relieved from inspection duty April 20, 
1901, in order to accompany his regiment to the U. S. and, short- 
Ij after arriving in Manila, he was, April 26, designated as as- 
sistant mustering officer of the 42d Infantry then in camp in 
Manila awaiting transportation to San Francisco for muster out. 
Major Brown left Manila May 9 on leave of absence to travel 
in Japan, and returned to duty June 4 at Nagasaki, whence he 
returned to the U. S. on transport Thomas, arriving June 26. 
Mustered out of volunteer service June 27 and at once assigned 
to muster out duty at the Presidio camp. 

He was then by S. O. 150, A. G. O., June 28, ordered to join 
his troop at Ft. Washakie, but granted a two months leave of ab- 
sence by S. O. 158, A. G. O., July 9. Advantage of 1 month and 
20 days' leave was taken, and on September 2, 1901, Captain 
Brown rejoined Troop E, 1st Cavalry, at Ft Washakie, Wyo., 
where the usual garrison duty was performed during the re- 
mainder of the year. In October, at the conclusion of the annual 
post inspection, the Department Inspector reported: 

"The Commanding Ofl^cer (Captain W. C. Brown, 1st Cavalry) is 
zealous, capable and of high professional attainments, and much in- 
terest is displayed by him in economical administration." 

1902 
Usual garrison duty until June 23 when, by S. O. 147, A. G. 
O., Captain Brown was transferred to Troop L at Taal, Philip- 
pine Islands, but due to certain transfers of troops he did not 
leave post until August 25. Arrived at Manila, via Guam, Sep- 
tember 26, when an order from Department of North Philippines 
to join troop was almost immediately followed by a regimental 



— 15 — 

order appointing Captain Brown R. Q. M. to date, October 1, with 
station at Batangas, where he reported October 4, and during 
remainder of year performed usual duties of R. Q. M. 24 days, 
of which he also commanded the post. 

The troops at this time were quartered in vacant buildings 
in the town of Batangas, and as it became apparent that a gar- 
rison must necessarily be kept here indefinitely. General J. 
Franklin Bell, commanding the 3d Brigade, took Captain Brown 
with him, and after looking over the most available ground in the 
vicinity of Batangas, directed the latter to bargain with natives 
for the 29 irregular shaped tracts making up the proposed site 
of the new post of Camp McGrath. 

1903 

January 22, a board, of which Captain Brown was a member, 
was convened by General Jesse M. Lee and met "for the purpose 
of carefully examining the new post site at Batangas and recom- 
mending the location thereon of all buildings necessary for regi- 
mental headquarters and six troops of cavalry." Governor Gen- 
eral Taft, about this time having paid an official visit to the post, 
was tendered by Captain Brown and accepted a review of the 
troops, and subsequently was shown the proposed post site by 
General Lee, to whom he gave assurance that he would approve 
condemnation proceedings for the land needed. 

The tour of the 1st Cavalry in the Philippine Islands having 
practically terminated, Captain Brown secured a leave of absence 
of three months with permission to return to the U. S. via Eu- 
rope. (S. O. 71, A. G. O., March 26, 1903.) He left Batangas 
June 10 and by S. O. 99, Div. Phil., '03, was relieved from du;y 
in that division and authorized to avail himself of the leave of 
absence above mentioned. The following is an abstract of the 
itinerary of his trip to the U. S.: 

June 13, left Manila. June 15, arrived Hong Kong whence 
visits were made to Canton, Macao and, through the courtesy of 
General Gascoigne, visit was made to the military establishment 
at Kowloon. June 24, left Hong Kong, spent June 28 at Shang- 
hai and arrived July 5 at Yokohama and traveled in Japan until 
July 19, taking advantage of an opportunity of inspecting at the 
military station of Omura, including regimental storehouses, 
liarracks, shoe and tailor shops, etc., and guard house in which 
there were but two prisoners for a command of 1,500 men. July 
21, arrived at Dalny. and then started by rail to Kharbine and 
Irkutsk. Russian troops were much in evidence, and note was 



— 16 — 

made of them at nearly every station; 15,000 troops were then 
being moved east by rail, although the Russians were announcing 
to the world an early evacuation of Manchuria. In Irkutsk a stop 
of two days permitted a visit to the extensive military establish- 
ment near the city. July 29, started for Moscow, arriving there 
August 5, and after a days delay, arrived at St. Petersburg, 
August 7, where a visit was made to the Arty School. Au- 
gust 10, left for Stockholm, and after brief stops at Helsiugfors 
and Hango, arrived there August 12, and at Copenhagen the 
14th, when going via Kiel and Hamburg arrived in Paris August 
16, whence by easy stages journey was resumed via London, 
Edinburg, Glasgow and New York to Washington, which was 
reached September 15. 

While in New York Captain Brown had the honor of being 
invited to Oyster Bay to lunch with President Roosevelt, to 
whom he had an opportunity of describing the military situation 
as casually observed in Manchuria and Siberia. A description 
of this journey for use of the traveling public appears in Cook's 
Travelers' Gazette for November, 1903. 

War Department orders having been issued for field man- 
euvres at West Point, Ky., and Ft. Riley, Kans., Captain Brown 
applied to attend them on duty status and was advised by 
letter of September 18, from A. G. O., that his request to "be 
placed on duty status and allowed to attend the maneuvres to 
be held at West Point, Ky., and Ft. Riley, Kans., has been ap- 
proved by the Chief of Staff with the understanding that the 
time you are attending the maneuvres will not be charged 
against you as leave of absence, it being understood that you are 
not to receive mileage for travel to and from the places at which 
the maneuvres will be held." September 24, arrived at West 
Point, Ky., and was at once assigned to duty as Adjutant Gen- 
eral of the 1st (Kobbe's) Brigade. 

Brigadier General Kobbe fell in command of the division for 
several days, during which time a division review was contem- 
plated. To Captain Brown was assigned the duty of making 
preparations for it, and to superintend formation of the division 
for review. The following preliminary instructions were issued 
to Brigade Commanders: 

"Headquarters Maneuver Division, 
Camp Young, West Point. Ky., Oct. 6. 1903. 
Sir — The Brigadier General Commanding directs that the 1st 
Brigade rehearse for review from 1:00 to 2:00 p. m. today on Division 
Parade Ground. 

2nd Brigade from 2:00 to 3:00 p. m. today. 
3rd Brigade from 3:00 to 4:00 p. m. today. 
4th Brigade from 4:00 to 5:00 p. m. today. 



— 17 — 

The rehearsal to be made under the supervision of Captain W. C. 

Brown, Adjutant General, 1st Brigade. 

Brigade Commanders will please acknowledge receipt. 
Very respectfully, 

To Commanding Generals: 

1st Brigade H. LIGGETT, 

2nd Brigade Major of Infantry, 

3rd Brigade Adjutant General." 

4th Brigade 

At the conclusion of the West Point maneuvers the following 
unsolicited letter was given Captain Brown: 

"Headquarters 1st Brigade, Provisional Division, 

Camp Young. Ky., Oct. 14, 1903. 
Captain W. C. Brown, 1st Cavalry: 

Sir — I wish to express my thanks for and appreciation of your 
services as Adjutant General of this Brigade. Your knowledge, ex- 
perience and diligence have been of indispensable value and have 
contributed greatly to the record the Brigade has made from its organ- 
ization to the final exercises of the maneuvers. 

I beg to assure you of my personal friendship and esteem and 
to remain. 

Very truly yours, 

W. R KOBBE, 
Brigadier General, U. S. A., Commanding." 

October 16, arrived at Ft. Riley, Kans., and October 20, as- 
signed to duty at Headquarters 4th (Kansas) Brigade, Maneuver 
Division, at the conclusion of which duty the following unso 
licited letter was given him: 

"Headquarters Kansas National Guard, 

Office of Commanding General, 
Topeka, Kansas, October 29, 1903. 
Captain W. C. Brown, 

1st Cavalry, U. S. Army, 

Fort Riley, Kansas. 
My Dear Captain — I am very grateful to General Bates for detail- 
ing you upon my staff during the recent Fall Maneuvers at Fort 
Riley and desire to thank you most sincerely for your extreme 
patience, your exceeding good judgment, your gentlemanly conduct 
as well as the most valuable service and assistance you not only gave 
me, but to my Brigade that you always gladly and willingly gave 
to us at any and all times. 

You always had the good, the welfare and the health of my 
Brigade in mind and the valuable service and instructions which you 
rendered has been an exceedingly great benefit to my Brigade of 
Kansas National Guard. 

I assure you that I appreciated your efforts and most sincerely 
thank you. 

Trusting that you may soon have a leaf in the place of the two 
bars, I am with sincere personal regards, 

J. W. T.HUGHES. 
Brigadier General. K. N. G. 

On October 27 Captain Brown was appointed Acting Inspec- 
tor General of the division, vice Mills, temporarily incapacitated 
through accident. The maneuvers having been completed by No- 
vember 1 Captain Brown, on November 2, reverted to leave 
status, and while en route to his proper station, Ft. Clark, Texas, 
reported to an examining board at Ft. Sam Houston to determine 
his fitness for promotion. (S. O. 51. W. D., 1903.) 



— 18 — 

November 23, reported for duty at headquarters 1st Cavalry, 
Ft. Clark, Texas. November 27 the regimental commander or- 
dered that "In view of the probable nearness of his promotion, 
Captain Brown is, at his own request, relieved from duty as R. 
Q. M. On the same date he was attached to Troop M for duty. 
On usual garrison duty during remainder of 1903. 

1904 

In January, 1904, a rifle (Springfield Model 1903) had been 
constructed as an improvement on, and to replace the Krag. 
Before its issue to the Army, however, it was deemed best to 
have it thoroughly tested at all ranges from 100 to 2,000 yards 
by a series of experimental firings to obtain desired exterior 
ballistic data, particularly drift up to 2,000 yards and the varia- 
tion due to a mile of wind normal to the plane of fire. 

Captain C. C. Williams, now Chief of Ordnance, was sent to 
Ft. Clark, Texas, where it had been determined to establish an 
experimental range and as indicated in an indorsement signed 
by General Crozier, January 12, 1894, it was probably originally 
intended that Captain Williams would have direct charge of the 
firings. G. O. No. 19, W. D., January 26, 1904, was the authority 
under which the camp was established and outlined its personnel 
and objects. Captain Williams, having other plans in view, 
asked Captain Brown to undertake this work to which he finally 
consented and the latter was detailed for this duty by the De- 
partment Commander on January 30, and firing was commenced 
February 15. Captain Williams remained until February 26, 
after which Captain Brown had full charge, completing the fir- 
ings on August 11. Several of the best shots in the Army were 
detailed to assist in this work. The very nature of the task was 
such that a successful accomplishment of it rested largely in 
the ingenuity of the officer in charge. The methods to be pur- 
sued were not laid down in books. 

Besides the ballistic data secured the follow- 

lowing improvements in the rear sight were made — ! — 
on Major Brown's recommendations: 

(a) Range intervals on leaf of rear sight subdivided to in- 
dicate 25 yards. 

(b) Very fine serrations substituted for the notches previ- 
ously used on the sight leaf. 

A professional article describing this experimental work pre- 
pared by Major Brown was published in the Journal Mil. Service 
Inst, for May-June, 1905. 



— 19 — 

The Chief of Ordnance, in letter September 12, 1904, to Major 
Brown, said of this experimental work: 

"I desire to express this Department's appreciation of the careful 
and intellierenl manner in which you have conducted the firings neces- 
sary for sighting the musket of the model of 1903. Whatever excel- 
lence may result will be due largely to the valuable assistance which 
you have rendered." 

Upon the conclusion of this work Major Brown applied for 
and was granted leave of absence, and on arrival in Washington 
was, by S. O. 202, W. D., directed to proceed to Manasas and 
report for assignment to duty pertaining to Army maneuvers 
where he reported the same day, was detailed to duty as ob- 
server of damages, upon conclusion of which duty, September 
18, he reverted to status of leave of absence, at the expiration 
of which. November 21, he reported to his new regiment, 3d 
Cavalry, at Ft. Assiniboine, Mont. Performing usual garrison 
duty during remainder of year. 

1905 

Usual garrison duty, with occasional field exercises and fight- 
ing fires in mountains near post. At Ft. Yellowstone, Wyo., on 
court martial duty October 1-11. The Inspector General, North- 
ern Division, reported that year as follows: 

"Major William C. Brown, 3d Cavalry, is particularly interested 
in the small arms and equipments used in the sei-vice and in their 
improvement." 

The regiment having been ordered to the Philippines, leave 
of absence previous to departure was requested and granted from 
November 2 to 28, on which latter date Major Brown reported 
for duty with regiment at San Francisco, which sailed December 
15 via Honolulu for Manila. 

1906 

January 15, arrived Manila, and at Camp Stotsenburg on Jan- 
uary 16, from which time until October 21 the usual garrison 
duties were performed. 

The need of remounts for the regiment was, during 1906, 
acute and the regimental commander. Colonel Dorst, suggested 
Australia as a possibly convenient market. Major Brown, in 
letter of July 31 to the division commander, stated that he 
would be glad to investigate at his own expense the feasibility 
of securing horses in Australia, requesting, however, that he be 
regarded during such trip on duty status for the convenience 
of the Government. General Wood forwarded this letter to the 



— 20 — 

War Department approved, and the journey on the above condi- 
tions was authorized by the Acting Secretary of War on October 
3 and S. O. 225, Hq. Phil. Div., October 6 directed: 

"Major William C. Brown, 3rd Cavalry, will, at his own request 
and under authority contained in cablegram from the War Depart- 
ment dated October 4, 1906, proceed to Australia and such other 
points in Australasia as he may desire for the purpose of investigating 
and reporting upon the feasibility of procuring horses from that 
quarter for the use of the Army in this Division. The period of three 
months is allowed Major Brown in which to complete this duty and 
return to station. 

By command of MAJOR GENERAL WOOD. 
JOHN G. D. KNIGHT, 
Lieutenant Colonel, General Staff, Chief of Staff." 

The period of three months was subsequently extended one 
month and ten days. 

Pursuant to the above authority Major Brown left Manila 
October 21, landed at Townsville, Queensland, November 3, pro- 
ceeded 368 miles by rail west to Winton, and thence by stage to 
Longreach, and by rail to the coast, and to Brisbane, and from 
there to Sydney, from which port steamer was taken to Auck- 
land, N. Z. New Zealand (both islands) was traversed south to 
Wellington and Christchurch. Here several days were spent 
at the Exposition then being held, and also a contest by New 
Zealand troops in field firing observed, where methods were 
noted, and later at Launceston, Tasmania, which were much in 
advance of our own. These were upon return to Manila reported 
upon accordingly. The journey was then resumed to Dunedin 
and Invercargill and Bluff (46° — 35' South Lat.), whence steamer 
was taken for Hobart, Tasmania, then by rail to Launceston, 
and again by steamer for Melbourne and rail to Sydney, N. S. W. 

During all these journeys horse sales and auctions were fre- 
quently attended, visits made to horse ranches and breeding 
stations, dealers and buyers and agents interviewed as to prices 
of horses and steamship agents questioned as to cost of trans 
portation, all of whom were more than desirous of establishing 
trade relations with the U. S. in the Philippines. 

1907 

January 16, left Sydney on steamer Orange Branch and ar- 
rived Manila February 23, and at Camp Stotsenburg February 
26. Report was made in detail to the effect that suitable re- 
mounts could be had for $125.00 delivered on ship, and that it 
would cost about $35.00 more in transportation, feed and attend- 
ance to deliver them in Manila. A professional article, "Aus- 
tralian Horses for the Philippines," by Major Brown, published 
in U. S. Cav. Journal for July, 1907, describes this matter more 
at length. 



— 21 — 

In March Major Brown was sent with his (the 3d) squadron 
some 20 miles north of Camp Stotsenburg for the purpose of 
thorough drill and instruction in field work. This perhaps might 
be classed as routine duty, but is mentioned for the reason that 
a number of novel features, as a result of observations in New 
Zealand and Tasmania, were put Into effect and on which report 
was submitted to the division commander, whose aide wrote: 

"General Wood read with much pleasure your report herewith 

enclosed, and says he would be very glad to have an extra copv for 
file, which can be used as a basis for experiments further to be made 
throughout the Division. He is glad to see you take the initiative 
in this matter and render such interesting reports on the results." 

This intensive training and experimental work was in part 
described in a professional article on "Appliances for Crossing 
Streams," by Major Brown, published in U. S. Cavalry Journal 
for October, 1907. 

July 15th Major Brown was ordered to Manila to report for 
consultation with the Division Commander who stated that au- 
thority had been received to purchase 300 horses in Australia, 
and offered Major Brown the detail, which was accepted. S. O. 
150, Hq. Phil. Div., July 15, directed Major W. C. Brown, 3d Cav- 
alry, and Vetn. C. D. McMurdo, 10th Cavalry, to l)roceed to such 
points in Australasia as might be necessary to purchase Aus- 
tralian horses for the cavalry of the division. A clerk and $50.- 
000 in funds were provided. The funds were in shape of a de- 
posit to Major Brown's credit with the Assistant Treasurer. 
U. S., New York, but they should have been given in a bankers' 
letter of credit, and it was only due to the Australian banks tak- 
ing risks that our banks would have absolutely declined, that he 
was able to do any business at all. 

The party left Manila July 29 and arrived at Brisbane, Au- 
gust 14, where an office was opened and an effort to purchase 
made by our customary methods of advertising and letting con- 
tracts to the lowest bidder. The Australians were so desirous 
of establishing commercial relations with us that, although 
strenuously objecting to our business methods, a bid was re- 
ceived for 50 remounts far out in the "bush" at 23 pounds sterl- 
ing each. What practically amounted to open market purchases 
or informal contracts were from that time on resorted to. 

The first lot of horses received in Manila were so acceptable 
that cable was sent to buy 300 additional ones. All but 25 were 
bought in Queensland at an average price of $100.00 per head, 
while the freight, food and attendance were $36.00 per head ad- 




— 22 — 

ditional. The 600 were easily $20,000 cheaper than the same 
number purchased and shipped from the U. S. 

At the outset it was found that the Descrip- 
tive Card of Public Animals Form, 277, A. G. O., 
was incomplete, inasmuch as it provided no front 
view of the horse. The face markings of horses 
are greater in variety and afford a surer means 
of identification than those on any other part of 
the body. A suitable cut was made and used to 
print the front view on the War Department 
blanks. Report of the desirability of this addi- 
tion was made to the War Department, at once 
adopted, and is still in use. See also "Proposed 
Change in Descriptive Card of Public Animals," 
by Major Brown, in U. S. Cav. Journal, January, 
1908. 

About 300 horses had been purchased and 
shipped by December 31. 

1908 

January 1 an additional $49,000 received. By April 3d 598 
horses had been purchased and the last 125 loaded on steamer 
and started for Manila, where Major Brown arrived with them 
April 15. The few weeks following were taken up in settling 
accounts, writing reports and preparing to return to the U. S. 
via Ehirope. The 3d Cavalry had returned several months 
previously. Request for two months' leave of absence and to 
return via Europe was granted. 

The British and Dutch purchase a large proportion of their 
horses in Australia, and desiring to learn how these animals 
were handled before being placed in the ranks, application was 
made and granted to visit Java (about 15 days) and India (about 
a month), exclusive of time consumed in waiting for steamers, 
the visits to be without cost to the U. S. and to be considered 
a? absence for the convenience of the Government. Subse- 
quently the Secretary of War decided that this "duty status" 
would commence May 12, the date of leaving Manila, until July 
15, including the last day in India. Being provided with a pass- 
port and a letter of introduction to the Adjutant to His Excel 
lency the Governor General of Java, the trip was made via Sing- 
apore to Batavia. This journey consumed nine days. At Ba- 
tavia call was made on the U. S. Consul, who arranged for a 
call on the Commanding General, through whose courtesy an in- 
spection was made of a squadron and veterinary hospital and a 



— 23 — 

letter given authorizing a visit to the remount depot at Padala- 
rang, where two very interesting days were spent; also one at 
the main cavalry garrison at Salatiga. We then proceeded to 
(Bixitenzorg, the summer residence of the Governor General, 
where a presentation to His Excellency was followed by an in- 
vitation to dine with him that evening. The latter saw to it that 
letters were provided to see anything in Java desired either in 
the military or civil line. May 29, at Djokjakarta, a couple of 
companies of native troops were visited, and June 2, at Salatiga, 
the barracks, stables, etc., of the cavalry were inspected. 

June 6, left Batavia and arrived on the 8th at Singapore, and 
after a 24-hour delay went on to Panang and thence to Colombo, 
Ceylon, whence a night boat landed us at Tuticorin, in India, on 
June 16. The month in India included stops at Madras, Cal- 
cutta, Darjeeling, Benares, Lucknow for a week inspecting a 
regiment of native troops nearly every morning, and receiving 
numerous other courtesies from the British Commanding Gen- 
eral and his officers. Agra and Delhi were next visited, and a 
stop of a day at Saharanpur at the large remount depot there. 
From thence we proceeded to Abmednagar (one day) and Bom- 
bay, sailing June 16 for Suez, Cairo (3 days), and thence to 
Alexandria, Naples, Rome, Paris, London; sailed on the Lu- 
sitania, August 15, arriving New York, August 21, and Washing- 
ton on the 23d. A War Department S. O. on the 24th directed 
Major Brown to report to the Chief of Staff until September 24 
and then to proceed to join his regiment. While in Washington 
reports of the trips through Java and India were prepared which 
were published in the U. S. Cav. Journal for April and January, 
1909. 

September 15, by permission of the Secretary of War Major 
Brown left Washington with orders to join regiment at Ft. Sam 
Houston by September 27, where the usual garrison duty was 
performed until December 26. November 24, offered detail in 
Fay Department; declined. December 26 Troops I and M, 3d 
Cavalry, Major Brown commanding, left for Ft. Wingate. ar- 
riving there December 29, where he assumed command of post. 

1909 

The usual garrison duties were performed until April 8. Be- 
tween April 9 and 20, under orders from Headquarters Depart 
ment, Colorado, the National Guard of New Mexico was inspected 
at the conclusion of which the Adjutant General sent Major 
Brown the following; 



— 24 — 

"Territory of New Mexico, 
Office of Adjutant General, Santa Fe, April 30, 1909. 
Major W. C. Brown, Ft. Wingate, N. M. 

Sir — I have the honor to express to you the sincere gratitude of 
the Adjutant General of New Mexico for your very through inspec- 
tion of the National Guard of New Mexico. 

Your criticisms and advice were, without an exception, well 
grounded and of real value to this department. Your sympathy with 
the difficulties of maintaining an efficient National Guard organiza- 
tion, and the thorough knowledge of conditions shown by you was 
very encouraging to the Adjutant General as well as to the Company 
Commanders. 

The attention of the Commanding General, Department of Colo- 
rado, has been called by an official letter from this office to the very 
efficient and able manner in which you performed the duties of 
Inspecting Officer. 

Very respectfully, 

R. A. FORD. 
Adjutant General." 

April 23 to June 24, commanding regiment in addition to 
other duties. 

June 24 to July 11, on leave of absence. 

August 8, left post in compliance with S. O. 172, W. D., July 
27, to take the course of instruction at War College, reporting 
there August 14, and engaged on routine duty for remainder of 
year. 

1910 

Performing routine duty in connection with course at War 
College, including Staff ride. May 6-25 over Virginia battlefields, 
until June 30, when the class reported at camp of instruction at 
Gettysburg, where Major Brown was assigned duty as inspector 
and instructor of National Guard Cavalry as follows: Troop A, 
Md., July 1-9; 1st Troop Cavalry, Pa., July 11-18; 1st Troop Cav- 
alry, N. J., July 16-23; 2d Troop Cavalry, N. J., July 23-30. 

After this duty he returned with the class to the War College. 
October 28 left Washington on leave of absence with permission 
to visit South America per S. O. 266, W. D., September 27. Let- 
ter A. G. O., same date, authorized Major Brown to be consid- 
ered as on duty status for not to exceed one month while col- 
lecting military information. October 28 left New York on Str. 
Alliance for Panama. November 4-6 at Panama, visited Culebra 
Cut, Gatum Locks, and was shown system of supply. November 
6-12 en route to Lima, making stop at Payta. November 13-16 
at Lima, looking over Peruvian military establishment and con- 
ferring with military attache. November 17-27 en route to Val- 
paraiso, making stops at Cerro Azul, Lomas, Atico, Mollendo. 
Arica, Pisagua, Iquique, Antofagasta (where Major Brown was 
shown through barracks of the two company garrison), Chaneral, 
Caldera and Coquimbo. November 28-29 visited a regiment of 
Cuirassiers and the Chilian Naval Academy at Valparaiso, and 



— 25 — 

then proceeded to Santiago. November 30 to December 4 visited 
several Chilian regiments and conferred with military attach^. 
December 5-7 en route across the Andes to Buenos Aires. 

December 8-14 at Buenos Aires, where, through assistance 
of the military attach 6, Major Brown was enabled to inspect the 
1st Argentine Cavalry. From here the journey was resumed 
to Montevideo, where the same courtesies and opportunities for 
visits to military establishments were extended, and where the 
U. S. Minister, Mr. E. V. Morgan, was particularly kind and, as 
he stated, he wanted to have the new railroad, now practically 
completed to Rio Janeiro, examined by a military man he sent 
his secretary as traveling companion and interpreter for the 
trip. The journey was made December 20-31 to S. Paulo where, 
as also at Rivera, Uruguay, visits were made to troops, and a 
side trip made to Santos. 

1911 

January 2 arrived at Rio Janeiro, being the first American 
to make the trip through by rail from Montevideo. Visited a 
cavalry squadron here. January 4 sailed for U. S., making a 
stop at Barbadoes, arrived in New York January 22, and in 
Washington January 24. 

A description of this trip from the viewpoint of the tourist 
was published in Cook's Travelers' Gazette for February, 1911. 

BILL FOR READJUSTMENT OF RANK 

The System of Regimental Promotion had worked such un- 
equal results in the line of the Army that for years much dis- 
satisfaction resulted. While at the War College with Lieutenant 
Colonel C. St. J. Chubb, 2d Infantry, the latter interested Major 
Brown in a proposed bill to remedy this. The latter in turn in- 
vited the attention of Colonel H. L. Scott, Superintendent U. S. 
M. A. (Major of Cavalry) to its provisions. This bill, although 
somewhat lengthy and somewhat complicated was well thought 
out, and by an addition of not to exceed 28 additional officers, 
those who had been overslaughed were to be reinstated in rank 
as far as this could be done and not prejudice the claims of 
those who had gained by regimental promotion. About October, 
1909, Lieutenant Colonel Chubb, Major Eben Swift and Major 
Brown had a conference with the Chief of Staff (General Bell) 
on the subject. General Bell ventured the opinion that it was 
a just bill and would partially remedy the injustice done a 



— 26 — 

worthy class of officers through an unwise law. This matter 
was again, on December 28, 1909, brought to the attention of the 
V^'^ar Department by Major Brown with the request that it be 
forwarded for action of Congress and thus become a War De- 
partment measure. The attention of the Chief of Staff was later 
several times called to it by officers interested in this matter. 
In a two-page personal letter to Major Brown (February 18, 
1910), General Bell stated his attitude in the premises, and 
although he thought the bill had not "the ghost of a show" to 
pass, he was willing to recommend to the Secretary of War that 
Major Brown be permitted to get some member of Congress to 
introduce the bill. He stated at the same time that he feared 
it would interfere with other legislation, and that he and 
the General Staff would probably report unfavorably upon it. 
Major Brown replied, February 21, concluding by saying that if 
the matter was giving General Bell annoyance it would, for the 
present, be dropped. In conversation later General Bell took a 
more favorable attitude, and March 1 the A. G. wrote that the 
Secretary of War grants permission to Major Brown to get 
members of Congress to introduce this bill, but that this should 
not be considered as committing the Secretary to take favorable 
action thereon. (See also Report 508, H. R. 62, Cong. 2nd Sess., 
p. 20 in this connection.) On April 4 the bill was introduced as 
H. R. 24013, 61 Cong., 2nd Sess., and later as S. 7947. On April 
14 Lieutenant General Bates and Major Brown appeared before 
the House Military Committee and argued in favor of the bill, 
on which the Secretary of War on April 30, and the Acting Chief 
of Staff (General Bliss) also gave Major Brown a hearing and 
an opportunity to explain the features of the bill. This is sub- 
stantially all that was accomplished at that session of Con- 
gress. Before the next session convened General Leonard Wood 
became Chief of Staff, and what was known as the 612 extra 
officers' bill, was giving the War Department much concern, and 
on Major Brown's return to Washington, January 24, 1911, he 
was told that the bill was "dead" — that nothing that might in- 
terfere with the "612 officers' bill" could be advocated. That af- 
ternoon Major Brown had a conference with Captain Hagood, 
which eventually resulted in the latter drafting a substitute of 
a single paragraph which comprised all the main features of the 
measure to be attached to the Army Appropriation Bill. Colonel 
Scott and Major Brown conferred with General Wood the follow- 
ing morning and the latter consented to efforts being made on 
the measure as soon as the extra officers' bill should be reported 



— 27 — 

out from the House Military Committee. It was reported out 
that afternoon and both these officers then worked for the pass- 
age of the bill, Colonel Scott's wide acquaintance with congress- 
men making his efforts an important factor. Both the former 
and present Judge Advocate General were consulted as to the 
effect of the proposed legislation and both Colonel Scott and 
Major Brown given a hearing before the House Military Com- 
mittee January 31, 1911, on the measure, which though changed 
in conference (See Conference Rept. 2163, 61st Congress, 3d Sess 
on Army Appn. Bill) so that something like forty extra officers 
resulted, it finally hecame a law in the last paragraph of the 
Army Appropriation Bill approved March 3, 1911. 

An appreciative friend wrote Major Brown regarding the 
above, "I want to congratulate you on being the most active 
factor instrumental in getting through a piece of legislation that 
is so helpful to the whole Army." 

February 29, 1911. The report on the twenty visits to mili- 
tary establishments in Peru, Chili, Argentine, Uruguay and Brazil 
having been completed. Major Brown, in compliance with S. O. 
29, W. D., February 4, left for Fort Huachuca, Ariz., and on ar- 
rival there, February 12, was ordered by General Schuyler, com- 
manding Department of Colorado, to proceed to Nogales, Ariz., 
and assume command of U. S. troops stationed at that point. 
These troops consisted of Troop B, 1st Cavalry, Co. I, Signal 
Corps, and a detachment of 18th Infantry which were enforcing 
neutrality laws in that locality and as far west as Arivaca, a par- 
ticularly troublesome Mexican being Jose Maria Maytorena, who 
for some years later was an important factor in border troubles. 

March 11. Promoted Lieutenant Colonel, and same date left 
for Ft. Huachuca per instructions of Department Commander, 
and March 13 proceeded thence to Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, per 
orders from Headquarters Department Colorado, March 12, ar- 
riving at that place and reporting to the C. O., 3d Cav., March 16. 

At this time there was being organized in camp at Ft. Sam 
Houston a Maneuver Division of regular troops, ana although only 
14.000 were assem'bled, it was the largest body of regular troops 
mustered in a single camp for many years, and it presented un- 
usual opportunities for experiments in organization, tactics, etc. 
Lieutenant Colonel Brown reported March 28 per S. O. 71, W. D., 
March 27, to Major General W. H. Carter, commanding division, 
for assignment to duty with Prov. Cav. Regt. organized as stated 
in letter from the War Department of March 18: 



— 28 — 

"For the purpose in studying in a practical way tlie problem 
of reorganization of our cavalry, the Secretary of War directs that 
the 11th Cavalry, which has been brought to full strength for this 
purpose, be temporarily organized into two provisional regiments. 

"The first regiment will be composed of two squadrons consisting 
of three troops each and one Machine Gun Platoon. The second 
regiment will consist of three squadrons of two troops each and one 
Machine Gun Platoon. In addition to the commissioned personal of 
the 11th Cavalry a number of additional field officers of Cavalry will 
be ordered to report to you for temporary assignment to these experi- 
mental regiments. You will proceed with the provisional organiza- 
tion of these regiments without awaiting the arrival of additional 
field officers or machine guns. 

Very respectfully, 

HENRY P. McCAIN, 

Adjutant General." 

Lieutenant Colonel Brown was assigned as Commander of the 
2nd Provisional Organization, consisting of three squadrons of 
two troops each and a M. G. Platoon. This actually took place 
only on April 5 when, until about June 1, the Provisional Organ- 
ization had intensive instruction in the form of regimental drills, 
experiments to ascertain the minimum amount of transporta- 
tion required in the field, etc., including field exercises, target 
practice, etc., at the maneuver camp and at Leon Springs, and 
practice marches to and from that place. May 4 Lieutenant Col- 
onel Brown, by S. O. 104, W. D., was attached to the 3d Cavalry. 
June 14 the Secretary of War ordered cessation of experimenta- 
tion with provisional cavalry organization, and Colonel Brown 
was ordered to report to the C. O., 9th Cavalry, in same camp, 
for duty which continued imtil June 6 when ordered to report 
to C. O., 11th Cavalry, for duty. This latter duty was nominal, 
and on August 7 orders were received for Lieutenant Colonel 
Brown to report for duty to the C. O., 3d Cavalry, from which 
time until October 1 routine garrison duty was performed with 
the addition of experimental work with Barr & Stroud range 
finder. 

October 1-17. On court martial duty at Ft. Sill, and on an 
eight-day leave of absence. Routine duty for remainder of 1911. 

1912. 
Routine duty until March 28, when Lieutenant Colonel Brown 
left for Ft. Riley, Kansas, per S. O. 73, W. D., March 27, to take 
the field officers' course at the Mounted Service School. This 
course was taken during April and May. May 31 to June 30, 
on leave of absence, reporting for duty on latter date with 3d 
Cavalry at Ft. Sam Houston. On routine duty until September 
16. August 6, War Department wired Lieutenant Colonel Brown 
to report whether or not he desired detail as attache to Legation 
at Buenos Aires. Etetail declined. Commanding 3d Cavalry from 



— 29 — 

September 12 to 18. September 17, left for Governors Island, 
N. Y., for duty as Acting Inspector General in the Eastern Dept. 
with station in New York city, per S. O. 216, W. D., September 13, 
reporting there for duty September 23, and during remainder of 
year performed the usual routine duty of Inspector General, be- 
ing absent from station about one-third of the time. December 
20 relieved from attachment to 3d Cavalry per S. O. 298, W. D. 



1913 

January 11 to February 9 engaged in inspecting the Porto 
Rico regiment. G. O., No. 1, Hq. 1 Div., February 15 assigns Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Brown A. I. G. as Inspector of 1st Division. This 
was a "paper" assignment. March 6 to April 13 sick in hospital. 



1914 

Promoted Colonel May 18, to date, from April 26, S. O. 116, 
W. D., the order announcing promotion directs Colonel Brown 
to remain on duty at his present station. Usual routine duty as 
Inspector General from January 1 to August 31, when relieved 
by Major T. Q. Donaldson, and assigned to 10th Cavalry to take 
effect September 2, and then to join (S. O. 19, W. D., August 14). 
September 2 left New York for Ft. Huachuca to take command 
of 10th U. S. Cavalry. September 8 arrived and assumed com- 
mand of 10th Cavalry and post at Ft. Huachuca. September 23 
received telegram 6:15 p. m. from Brigade Commander to send 
two troops at once to Lochiel. Troops left post 9:50 p. m. 



Siege of Naco 

Early in October, General Hill, commanding one faction of 
Mexican forces, took position at Naco, Sonora, and threw up en- 
trenchments to hold it and was besieged by Maytorena. The two 
10th Cavalry troops there were reinforced by most of the 9th 
Cavalry, and on October 7 telegraphic orders were received for 
Colonel Brown to report with three troops and M. G. troop, 10th 
Cavalry, to Colonel Hatfield at Naco. Troops left about two 
hours later and arrived at Naco the same night. The 9th Cav- 
alry (Guilfoyle) was assigned to the east section of town and 
the 10th Cavalry to the western section. Colonel Brown marking 
the boundary with a row of flags. The fire of the contending 



— 30 — 

Mexican forces was supposed to be parallel to the line, but shots 
fell constantly on the U. S. side of the line. The Mexicans se- 
cured ammunition without limit from U. S. sources. That for the 
besieged arriving at the railroad station on the U. S. side of the 
line. The fire, with the exception of a truce from October 24 to 
November 9, was continuous until December 18, being heavier by 
night than by day, and included fire from small arms, three-inch 
shell, shrapnel, Hotchkiss revolving cannon, rockets, land mines, 
bombs, bugle calls and epithets! Eight men were wounded in the 
10th Cavalry and the regimental commander's tent hit four times. 
As situation became more grave, additional troops were sent, 
and as Mexicans paid little attention to protests against their 
firing into U. S. camps, the latter were abandoned at night and 
eventually moved about a mile north of the line, along which 
outposts only, and these in bomb proofs, were maintained. The 
provocation to return the fire was very great, but so far as known 
not a shot was fired by the 10th Cavalry in retaliation. This 
high state of discipline called forth a special letter of commen- 
dation from the President, and the Chief of Staff in his annual 
report for 1915, p. 18, referring to the conduct of the 9th and 
10th Cavalry, said: 

"During the seige of Naco, Sonora, which was carried on for 
two and one-half months, the American troops at Naco, Arizona 
were constantly on duty day and night to prevent the use of the 
U. S. territory in violation of the neutrality laws. These troops 
were constantly under fire and one was killed and 18 were wounded 
without a single case of return fire of retaliation. This is the hardest 
kind of service and only troops in the highest state of discipline 
would stand such a test." 

1915 
January 1 left regiment for Columbus Barracks, Ohio, as 
witness before a General C. M., per S. O. 305, W. D., December 
28, 1914. January 5 left Columbus for Washington on leave of ab- 
sence, and January 7 to February 9 was in hospital on account 
of operation for hernia. February 24 rejoined regiment at Ft. 
Huachuca. The Department Inspector (Major Gray) reported as 
a result of this annual inspection, May 29 to June 5, "The 10th 
Cavalry is in excellent condition as regards to training and 
equipment. * * *" June 11 to 26 on leave of absence; after 
which date ordinary garrison duty was performed until October 
31, when Colonel Brown proceeded to Naco and took command 
of six troops, 10th Cavalry, this movement being required, as 
Villa, with a large Mexican force, was reported marching north 
on Agua Prieta, and a considerable number of Yaquis were gath- 
ering at Naco, Sonora. Villa having attacked Agua Prieta, Gen- 



— 31 — 

eral Funston, who had taken command at Douglas, ordered Col- 
onel Brown, on November 2, with four troops to proceed to Doug- 
las, where camp was made near the C. & A. smelter at 3 p. m., 
November 3, at which time fighting was nearly over. Twenty- 
four hours later the command was ordered back to Naco, 
arriving there late November 4, passing considerable numbers 
of Villistas on U. S. side of line near Naco. November 5 Colonel 
Brown had an interview with Villa at the line and informed him 
that his people must keep south of the line. Villa complained of 
the U. S. having recognized Carranza, etc., but announced that 
he would do the square thing by us in our dealings here. Naco 
crowded with Villistas and a fight took place with Carranzistas 
there on the 13th. Villistas driven to the west toward Nogales 
where situation becoming more acute. Colonel Brown on Novem- 
ber 25 was ordered to Nogales with five troops and M. G. troop. 
Arrived there ahead of command at 11 a. m., November 26, and 
found 12th Infantry and Valentine's Troop, lOth Cavalry, all un- 
der Colonel Sage in a fight with Villistas. 

Colonel Brown was the senior, but assumed command nomi- 
nally only as Sage had made all plans in anticipation of an at- 
tack. About 2 p. m. General Obregon, commanding Carranzistas, 
drove the Villistas out of town and asked, but was refused per- 
mission by Colonel Brown for Mexican officers to cross to U. S. 
side of line. He also requested the surrender of the Civil Gov- 
ernor of Sonora, who was being held by U. S. troops, but this 
was refused. November 27 General George Bell arrived and re- 
lieved Colonel Brown, and Bell was replaced the same day by 
General Funston. December 2 Colonel Brown resumed command 
at Ft. Huachuca. 

In the latter part of December the Brigade Commander, Col- 
onel Dodd, after a thorough inspection of regimental headquar- 
ters and eight troops of the 10th Cavalry, reported: 

"This command seems to be in excellent working condition. The 
Commanding Officer (Col. William C. Brown, 10th Cavalry) and his 
officers are very active and much alive to the interest and efficiency 
of the regiment." 

Mexican Punitive Expedition. 
Performing usual garrison duty until March 9 when Columbus 
was raided, when the regiment left post on four hours' notice, 
marching about 240 miles in the first eight days, making about 
100 miles in the two days following the crossing of the line on 
March 16. March 19 Colonel Brown left Colonia Dublan, with 
ten troops, 10th Cavalry, with two days' rations, by rail the first 



— 32 — 

30 miles, and then detraining, marched across the mountains to 
San Miguel the supposed camp of Villa. The objective being 
the capture of Villa, diligent inquiries were made and informa- 
tion had to be digested and action taken on that which appeared 
to be most reliable. Each day he seemed from reports to be 
only a couple of marches ahead. On April 1, at Agua Calientes, 
having left Major Evans with the first squadron at San Diego del 
Monte, Colonel Brown, with Young's squadron and the M. G. 
troop, struck Beltran's band, and after a running fight of several 
hours, dispersed it. The command kept on east and south to San 
Antonio where, in compliance with orders from Headquarters 
Punitive Expedition, the pack train, except one mule per troop, 
was returned north for rations. 

The supply situation was now becoming serious; natives 
regarded the Q. M. receipts for beef and corn merely as "scraps 
of paper" — even refusing them. In order to avoid open hostil- 
ities with the civilian population Col. Brown, finding an oppor- 
tunity at Cusihuriachic of exchanging checks for coin, advanced 
$1,600 from his private funds so as to pay cash for supplies for 
the command. 

At Cusihuriachic orders by airplane were received to 
march on Parral. Major Tompkins with two troops, 13th 
Cavalry, passed the 10th Cavalry at San Antonio, but were 
in turn passed at Sta Rosalia, but before the 10th Cavalry 
reached Tres Hermanos, April 9, Tompkins repassed, was a 
march in the lead, and on April 12 was attacked at Parral 
and Tompkins, Lieutenant Ord and four men wounded. They re- 
treated to Santa Cruz, which is 20 miles north of Parral and 340 
miles south of the line, and Colonel Brown, learning of the en- 
gagement, hurried to his relief, joining him that night. The au- 
thorities in Parral were immediately called to account for the 
improvoked attack. The commands of Lieutenant Colonel Allen 
and Major Howze joined on the 15th, making the entire com- 
mand about 1,200 men. Strenuous efforts were now made to 
effect regular communications with the Commanding General, 
but this had to be through Parral and Chihuahua, except that on 
the 14th Captain Reed, from General Pershing's staff, arrived by 
auto and was given a full report of the Parral affair. Efforts 
were then made to find a suitable camp on the railroad which 
would afford means not only of securing forage and other sup- 
plies, but enable despatches to be sent direct by wire to the U. S. 
Consul at Chihuahua, and thence to General Pershing. 



— 33 — 

On the 20th the first rations since leaving Colonia Dublan, 
March 19, were received. 

The command with two days' rations had "lived on the coun 
try" — mainly on fresh beef and corn. It operated in fact as weh 
as in name as Independent Cavalry. Its guide knew the country 
only as far as San Antonio from which point south dependence 
had to be placed on the meager information gleaned from the 
natives and a general but inaccurate 16-mlle-to-the-inch map of 
Northern Mexico. 

On the 21st the Chief of Staff of the Expedition arrived with 
instructions to return to Satevo, stating that our ultimate desti- 
nation would likely be farther north. The return march ending 
at San Antonio, Mexico, was made April 22 to May 1. For addi- 
tional details see "The Tenth Cavalry in Mexico," by Captain O. 
C. Troxel, in U. S. Cav. Journal for October, 1917. 

May 3d Colonel Brown was ordered, against his protest, 
to Namiquipa, and thence to Ft. Bliss, for operation for hernia, 
and while on sick leave recovering from the operation was, 
by S. O. 156, W. D., July 6, ordered to report to a retiring board 
at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, July 24. The board recommended 
retirement, but Colonel Brown proceeded immediately to Wash- 
ington and Baltimore, where an expert pronounced his case not 
at all serious. The Chief of Staff, U. S. A., submitted to the 
Secretary of War, on August 9th, a memorandum stating that 
Colonel Brown had made the long ride with General Pershing, 
an unusually long and rapid forced march; did not complain 
of inability, did not desire to be retired, and recommended that 
he be not retired unless he shows real inability to perform his 
duties. This the Secretary of War approved. 

August 14 Major General A. L. Mills informed Colonel Brown 
that application had been made for his temporary detail in the 
Militia Bureau to prepare a report on the recent mobilization of 
the National Guard. This work was commenced August 16. 
(See S. O. 188, W. D., August 12, 1916.) 

October 5 detailed per S. O. 233, W. D., as member of a re- 
tiring board, and on November 4, per S. O. 259, W. D., as a mem-^ 
ber of a board for examination of field ofl!icers for promotion. 
These duties were in addition to compiling the mobilization 
report. 

This was completed December 19, and copies were 
handed to the Chief of Staff for use at his hearing that day 
before the Subcommittee of Committee on Military Affairs, U. 
S. Senate, on Universal Military Training {S. 1695). Colonel 



— 34 — 

Brown, at the suggestion of the Chief of Staff, on this occasion, 
also testified before this Subcommittee. (See p. 110, also pp. 
151-161 of these hearings.) See also pp. 1103-1110 Hearings be- 
fore Committee on Military Affairs, H. R. 64th Cong., 2d Sess. on 
Army Appropriation Bill, 1918. 

December, 1916, Colonel Brown was instrumental in bring- 
ing about the adoption for field use of the Drab Moleskin Fleece- 
lined Overcoat described in Par. 92 (d) Uniform Regs., which 
paragraph he drafted. 

December 28, S. O. 303, W. D., directs that Colonel Brown 
be relieved from duty in the Militia Bureau and report to Corn- 
handing General, Eastern Department, with station in New 
York City. 

1917 

January 8 reported for duty at Governors Island, N. Y., and 
by verbal instructions assigned to assist the Department Inspec- 
tor; the principal work being to keep track of Militia Inspec- 
tions and draft orders to carry out same. May 16-21 on trip to 
Mt. Jackson, Shenandoah Valley, Va., to examine cavalry camp 
site offered for use of Government. (Letter Hq. E. D., May 15.) 
May 21 detailed per S. O. 130, Hq. E. D., as member Cantonment 
Site Board, Eastern Department, vice Colonel Taylor, engineers, 
relieved. 

May 23 to July 23 examining possibly suitable cantonment 
sites at various places in Eastern Department which ultimately 
resulted in the selection of Camps Lee, Meade, Dix and Upton. 

July 24-28. Camps at Plattsburg and Syracuse visited. July 
31 to August 2, on duty at Hoboken. 

On August 4, 1917, Colonel Brown addressed a letter to the 
Adjutant General of the Army in reference to the policy of the 
War Department as announced in the daily press as being unfa- 
vorable to the appointment of general oflScers who were over 60 
years of age. 

He submitted therewith a table in which was set forth cer- 
tain features of the records of the 46 line officers of the Army 
who on that date were over 60 years of age. Sixteen of these 
were general officers and thirty were colonels (thirteen of whom 
were subsequently appointed Brigadier Generals). Seven fea- 
tures of officers' records were considered in this table as evinc- 
ing suitable qualifications for the grade of general officers, viz.: 

1. Is the officer a graduate of the LeavenM'orth or Artillery 
School? 



— 35 — 

2. Is he a graduate of the field officers' class Mounted Serv- 
ice School? and therefore probably in fairly robust physical con- 
dition. 

3. Is he a graduate of the War College? 

4. Has he ever been a member of the General Staff? 

5. Has he ever received a Medal of Honor? 

6. Has he ever received a brevet commission? (These last 
two as evidence of courage.) 

7. Was he a field officer of Volunteers in 1898-9? 

An affirmative could be claimed under as many as five (5) 
of the above heads, but for one (1) officer, and that officer was 
Colonel Brown, who invited attention not only to this, but to his 
three Indian campaigns, including two engagements: 

Santiago Campaign — Battle of San Juan, July 1-3, 1898. 

Philippine Insurrection — Two engagements. 

Siege of Naco — Commendation from the President and Chief 
of Staff. 

Mexican Punitive Expedition — One engagement. 

Also other features mentioned elsewhere in this record and 
tc all of which consideration was invited. 

The Department Commander, Major General J. Franklin Bell, 
in forwarding this, stated: 

"1. With more than ordinary sympathy I forward this ap- 
peal for recognition. 

"2. If single-minded devotion to one's profession and duty, 
even to the extent of having no other interest in life; if zeal far 
beyond the capacity of the average man to possess; if painstak- 
ing perseverance in and conscientious performance of useful 
work; and if willing, uncomplaining participation in disagree- 
able field service can merit recognition after more than forty 
years of exceptionally faithful service as an officer. Colonel 
Brown is certainly worthy of advancement an additional grade 
before retirement. His physical condition has always been and 
still is excellent." 

From August 3 to 25 Colonel Brown was engaged on inspec- 
tions of property of New York cavalry and guards at various 
public utilities plants in Eastern Department. August 26 to 
September 4 commanding overseas casual camp at Governors 
Island. (S. O. 217, E. D., August 23.) 

The following are brief extracts from letters of well-known 
general officers who approved of Colonel Brown's application for 
appointment as Brigadier General, National Army: 



— 36 — 

General Sharpe, in a letter of September 5th, 1916, says: 

"I have followed your service with a great deal of Interest, be- 
cause of my admiration of you as an officer, and because of the very 
pleasant relation which have always existed between us, and It has 
been a source of great pleasure to me to see how efficiently you 
handled all the worli which was assigned to you." 

General Plummer wrote September 4th, 1916: 

" * • * I saw Shanks for a few minutes and he told me that 
you were feeling pretty badly. I don't wonder. * • ♦ If you think 
It would do any good, I would be very glad to take some action toward 
confirming General Frank Bell's indorsement. I have often said that 
I thought it was a mistake that the War Department did not take 
advantage of your qualifications." 

Major General A. P. Blocksom's official letter of August 20th, 1917, 
now on file in the A. G. O. reads: 

"I desire to earnestly recommend Colonel W. C. Brown, U. S. 
Cavalry, to the grade of Brigadier General, U. S. Army. Colonel 
Brown has had a long and most honorable career, with much gallant 
service in Indian wars, the Santiago Campaign of 1898, the Philippine 
Insurrection, Mexican Border Fights, Punitive Expedition into Mexico, 
etc., to his credit. He is, I understand, in excellent physical con- 
dition. His all around experience in and knowledge of things mili- 
tary and civil, will qualify him to command a brigade In a foreign 
war." 

In a personal letter to Colonel Brown, General Blockson said: 

"I thoroughly sympathize with you and think it is "hard lines" 
that you should be left out. You deserve recognition if any officer 
in the service does. I know no officer whose services have been more 
deserving and valuable to the government." 

General Johnston, in a letter of September 20th, 1917, said: 

"Dear Brown — I have never met the Secretary of War and for 
your sake I deeply regret it. I wish I knew him well enough to go 
to him directly and that he knew me well enough to respect my sin- 
cerity in doing so to impress upon him with a wholehearted desire 
to be convincing my profound belief in the merit of your promotion 
to General Officer's grade. 

During our mutual careers of active service up to 1903. when I 
resigned, I was in close touch with you, and the very best interests 
of the service had, as loyal servitor, no commissioned officer on its 
highly honorable list who could with truth claim precedence «vei- 
yourself and but very, very few up to the level of your tireless and 
wholly unselfish, perhaps too unselfish zeal. 

"The virtue of your professional work along many lines has been 
your only reward, other than the respect of thoughtful men, so far 
as recognition through promotion is concerned. 

"Perhaps it might have been different had you and your friends 
been more in evidence on other days, but so far as I know you never 
made the effort, being too busy with service work to exploit yourself 
on your friends in your own behalf — and I feel badly to feel so help- 
less, but am persuaded to believe that your merited promotion will 
yet be recognized." 

Colonel Brown then made request to the Chief of Staff that 
if he could not be appointed a Brigadier General in the National 
Army, that he be permitted to go to France with the 42d Division 
in any capacity, announcing that if this were done he would 
"make good." 

September 5 reported per S. O. 200 W. D. for duty at Camp 
A. L. Mills to Div. Comdr., 42d Div., and by him assigned to duty 
keeping the War Diary and inspecting camps of regiments during 
drills as a check to number of absentees from drills, and en- 
gaged on these duties until October 18, when Division Headquar- 
ters embarked at Hoboken on transport Covington. October 19 



— 37 — 

left New York for France. November 1 arrived at St. Nazaire; 
November 8 arrived at Vaucouleurs. November 30 reported 
per S. O. 173 H. A. E. F. at Headquarters A. E. F. and assigned 
to duty as Assistant to Chief Quartermaster, A. E. F., who in 
turn assigned Colonel Brown to duty as Inspector, Q. M. C. 



INSPECTION OF Q. M. ACTIVITIES 

The first inspections were in the 42d, 26th, 2d and 1st Divi- 
sions. Following this was one in the 1st Separate Brigade. 
C. A. C. 

Following this were inspections at Coetquidan, the training 
station of the 67th and 51st F. A. Brigades, and then Souge 
(Heavy Arty Training Camp) and La Courtine (41st Division). 

The organization of the Inspection Service in the Quarter- 
master Corps arose from a desire on the part of the Chief Quar- 
termaster to have his own inspectors who should investigate the 
needs of troops, the workings of various orders which put in mo- 
tion the machinery by which they were to be supplied, and who 
should by phone, telegraph or letter keep him informed on all 
such matters. 

There is no known law or even regulation covering such 
position, but the fact that Colonel Brown in three days alone 
saved from falling into the hands of the enemy, clothing, etc., 
whose value more than equalled the salary of all the inspectors 
employed by the Quartermaster Corps in the A. E. F. during the 
entire war, is ample reason for their appointment. 

It might be said that these inspectors should function as a 
part of the Inspector General's Department, but here again one of 
the main ends would be defeated, for their methods of making re- 
ports and referring same back and forth to the various bureaus 
and branches thereto require so much time that before correction 
could be made new conditions would arise, making possibly inad- 
visable such action as was all right if made on the spot. Reports 
made by Inspectors General and Acting Inspectors General have 
tO)go through too many channels before they reach the Chief 
Quartermaster to be of much use to him. This was a time of 
war, and delays, which in time of peace are of relatively little 
moment .are serious in their consequences — therefore regula- 
tions and precedents must be disregarded. The C. in C. on ac- 
count of the changed character of warfare and the new condi- 
tions confronting us in France had to change practically the en- 



— 38 — 

tire military establishment there, and many of these changes 
v^ere made with little if any authority of law, and sometimes not 
even of regulations. They were necessary for the prompt des- 
patch of the work in hand and they were done and that is about 
all that can be said about it. The Quartermaster Corps Inspector 
has fewer activities to investigate than the Inspector General, 
and is, therefore, able to go into them more thoroughly. He 
collects information, forms conclusions and recommends to his 
chief measures, which may or may not be adopted. A single 
Division Inspector of the Inspector General's Department, having 
the activities of all arms and branches of the service in the Di- 
vision to inspect, could not perform this duty with that degree 
of thoroughness that has obtained in years past. A Division now 
i*? larger than the entire Army twenty-five years ago, when its 
inspection staff consisted of one Brigadier General and ten Field 
Officers. 

The necessity of doing away with accountability after sup- 
plies left the depot rendered it the more important that some 
officer or officers should be constantly observing, reporting and 
making recommendations looking to improvement in methods of 
supply as well as in the quality of articles furnished. Several 
conditions conspired to confine the duties of the Inspector in the 
earlier months to the prevention of accumulation of surplus sup- 
plies. Due to lack of system, probably for the most part un- 
avoidable, troops arrived in their training areas weeks and even 
months in advance of their baggage, necessitating the requisition- 
ing of supplies for immediate needs which, often slow in coming, 
frequently reached the troops at about the same time as their 
baggage. Having had so much difficulty in obtaining these ar- 
ticles, it was not unnatural that they should be loath to part 
with them even though no immediate need existed for what was 
now on hand. The duty of the Inspector in such cases was plain. 
Such supplies of necessity were ordered shipped back to depots 
in order that they might be available for issue elsewhere. 

The Inspector must keep in touch with all orders issued from 
General Headquarters affecting the operations of the Quarter- 
master Corps and note how these were being carried out. Occa- 
sionally the result of his observations indicated that the publica- 
tion of a general order was advisable with view to correcting 
growing evils and to better certain conditions already existing. 
as for example, the revocation of Par. 11, G. O. 38, H. A. M F., 
1917. Experience proved this privilege of purchasing certain ar- 
ticles of clothing from the Quartermaster Corps to be undesirable 



— 39 — 

and it was revoked by G. O. 37, 1918. Another instance of an or- 
der issued on the recommendation of the Inspector Quartermas- 
ter Corps for the betterment of soldiers' footwear is seen in Sec. 
V, G. O. 58, G. H. Q., A. E. F., 1918, which prescribed measures 
of keeping the shoes of soldiers in proper condition. 

Another of the purposes of the Quartermaster Inspection 
Service was to prevent waste and by calling the attention of of- 
ficers thereto, to correct methods of handling and storing which 
would minimize loss of stores. The role of the Inspector was 
frequently more that of an instructor than an inspector. Due 
to his knowledge of the situation, he was frequently able to ad- 
just matters and secure a proper distribution of supplies where, 
within the same area, one organization had a surplus and an- 
other urgently in need of the same article. 

Actual physical inspections down even to store rooms or 
places where organizations kept their supplies were therefore 
resorted to. 

Where shortages were found, report by telephone so that im- 
mediate steps could be taken to hurry supplies forward was usu- 
ally resorted to. The hoarding of supplies was frequently the 
result of wrong interpretation of orders; as was instanced when 
the Inspector found that a Quartermaster, who was supplying 
several thousand men, had but five pairs of leggings in store, 
v,hile one of the batteries depended on the same Quartermaster 
had 150 pairs hoarded up for which it had no use. Or it might 
be bad management, as when a man was discovered in ranks 
stockingless, but whose Company Commander had an unopened 
box of 500 pairs of socks in his store room and had asked for 
600 additional pairs for which he had no need. 

It might be poor distribution, as when one regiment was 
found clamoring for more blankets while another only a few 
miles distant had on hand whole bales of surplus blankets. Such 
matters were usually adjusted by the Inspector on the spot. 

February 15-20, inspecting supply of certain regiments be- 
hind the British front whence an opportunity was taken advan- 
tage of to visit the front line trenches. 

One regiment was cantoned within about three miles of the 
front line trenches. They had accumulated about $20,000 worth 
of clothing and other supplies over and above their current needs, 
due to duplication of requisitions and not having received in- 
structions as to clothing allowance. On recommendation of the 
Inspector this surplus was returned to depot. The enemy made 
a sudden drive about five weeks later and Colonel Brown, June 



— 40 — 

1, was told by the C. O. that but for his having had this clothing 
turned in it would have fallen into the hands of the enemy. A 
very similar condition was found in another regiment the next 
day and steps taken for correction. 

A few days later another regiment was inspected which had 
without warrant accumulated a large surplus stored with en- 
tirely inadequate fire protection and the day before the Inspec- 
tor's visit the store house burned and with it |233,000 worth of 
stores. 

The 26th Division went on the line north of Soissons early 
in Feb., and as it was one of the first divisions to go on the line 
as a unit, Colonel Brown was sent to Creil, the Regulation Sta- 
tion, and to neighboring points to observe troop movements so 
far as they related to the Quartermaster Corps, and with orders 
to note any weaknesses that might develop in Quartermaster ac- 
tivities and to recommend corrective measures, etc. 

May 13 the Quartermaster General cabled request that re- 
ports of Colonel Brown, Inspector Quartermaster Corps, be 
mailed to him. 

The increasing number of troops kept the Quartermaster In- 
spector on the road on an average 22 days in the month. He usu- 
ally drafted his own orders, but in May a far more convenient 
practice was adopted; that of giving him monthly an order in the 
following form: 

"Colonel W. C. Brown, Cavalry Inspector, Q. M. C, is authorized 
to visit and inspect quartermaster activities in Organizations, A. E. F., 
in France (not including those on the British front) at such time 

during 1918, as he may deem necessary. The travel directed 

is necessary in the military service." 

In April, on a visit to the front line trenches near Badon- 
viller, the desirability of troops being supplied with tinned emer- 
gency rations was noticed and report was made accordingly. 
Subsequently it was learned that a contract for 4,000,000 of these 
was let and about 1,850,000 delivered before the armistice was 
signed. The first consignment reached France about November 1. 

In May Colonel Brow^n was ordered by the C. in C. to make 
an Inspection of the immense supply depot at Gievres, and as a 
result, certain measures looking to better protection of property 
from the weather were taken. May 23 to June 2, the 2d, 35th, 
28th, 77th, 30th, 4th, 27th, 82d and 33d Divisions behind the 
British front were visited. 

By July 25th the number of troops in France had increased 
to such an extent that Colonel Cheatham was assigned to divi- 
sions behind the British front, while Colonel Brown was assigned 



oi 



— 41 — 

the Toul group, comprising the 5th, 29th, 35th, 77th, 2d, and those v- 
in the training areas comprising the 6th, 32d, 37th, 76th, 79th, |^ 
89th. 30th. 91st and 32d Divisions— 14 in all. This plan held good, ^w^ 
however, for a short time only. 

The above gives a brief outline of the duties performed. ^ 
The plan of the Chief Quartermaster was to keep Colonel Brown 
generally on inspections with troops. The locations of troops i\ 
had of necessity to be kept secret, but the provision of the order n>^ 
issued from month to month, directing Colonel Brown to visit ,nS 
and inspect at such times "as he may deem necessary," answered 
the purpose. As to what and how he should inspect he was given '^ 
pretty wide discretionary powers. Apparently, however, as will . ^' 
appear later, the work was done to the satisfaction of the C. Q. M. "^ 
and on November 14 Colonel Brown had the valued commenda- "^^ 
tion of the Commander in Chief, who personally expressed his 
appreciation of the manner in which the inspection service had 
been performed, good reports of which he stated had come to 
him "from all sides." He stated also in reply to Colonel Brown's vS^ 
expressed wish, that he would approve of his being retained on ^ 
active duty in France after retirement. However, when this V!i 
matter was actually presented officially the policy of the War " - 
Department to allow no officer who was over 64 years of age in 
the A. E. F. unfortunately acted as a bar to this request. ^ 

The journeys in France on Inspection duty footed up in the ■ ^ 
twelve and two-thirds months some 16.000 miles by motor car, Vj^ 
besides several thousand miles by rail and an average of 22 days 
ir. the month the Inspector was absent from his station (G. H. Q.). >> 
During practically the entire time from January 1 to June 15. ^ 
1918, Colonel Brown was the officer of longest service in the ^^^^ 
Army in the A. E. F., and the oldest officer in the A. E. F. until 
December 19. 1918. when, after 45 years. 5 months and 19 days 
of active service, he was retired for age (64 years), as announced 
in S. O. 297.— O. W. D., December 20, 1918. 

As previously stated in this abstract of record. Col. Brown 
went to France with the avowed intention of "making good." 

To what extent this was accomplished is indicated by the 
approval of the C. in C. abay . c r o oord «d and in addition thereto 




l-iiaCiu. 



.a^.ciiaxiaa Signed by the Commander-in-Chief, A. K. F., Aprii 19,- 
*W^ "For exceptionally meritorious and ew»eptcuou« services at 
ToufSr-France ; " also as set forth in the following letters under ^^^^ 

the notice of the writers of which fell the results of Col. Brown's /-y 

work as Inspector Q. M^. , A^^'^W/ 



42 — 



AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 

Headquarters Services of Supply, 
Office of the Chief Quartermaster, A. E. F. 
France, October 1, 1918. 
From: Chief Quartermaster, A. E. F. 

To: Commander-in-Chief, A. E. F., through Military Channels. 
Subject: Promotion of Colonel W. C. Brown. 

1. I am forwarding: herewith application of Colonel W. C. Brown, 
Cavalry, Inspector Q. M. C, for promotion to the grade of Brigadier 
General, regular army. When Colonel Brown submitted this applica- 
tion to me to be forwarded, I informed him that at the proper time I 
would take the matter up with the Commander-in-Chief in person 
and urge his appointment at such time as would enable him to be 
promoted before the date of his statutory retirement. 

2. Colonel Brown has done most excellent service for the American 
Expeditionary Forces as an inspector of the Quartermaster Corps and 
has, in my opinion, by his energy and effort, saved the United States 
large sums of money in discovering supplies and stores that were 
unnecessarily held by organizations, and he has also done a great 
deal of good in instructing and seeing that organizations were 
properly equipped with Quartermaster supplies. 

3. Colonel Brown, for the past nine months, has been the oldest 
officer on the active list in the A. E. F. ; has had longer service than 
any on such list in France with the exception of two who are class- 
mates, and has not lost a day from his duty for any cause since 
under my command. 

4. I can truthfully say that I know of no officer under my charge 
who has been more energetic and conscientious in the performance 
of his duty, and I urgently recommend that he be recommended for 
promotion to the grade of Brigadier General, regular army, so that he 
may retire as of that grade. 

H. L. ROGERS, 
Major General, U. S. Army, Chief Quartermaster. 

Headquarters, S. O. S., France, October 1, 1918. To C. in C, A. E. F. 

1. Forwarded, approved and recommended. 

2. Particular attention Invited to the statements of Major Gen- 
eral H. L. Rogers, under whom Colonel Brown is now serving, and to 
those of Major Generals J. F. Bell and J. E. Kuhn as quoted in 
Colonel Brown's letter. I do not think that at the close of his 
career the War Department can afford to deny a final promotion for 
retirement to a veteran Colonel of over forty-five years of faithful 
service; one of six survivors on the active list who have been bre- 
vetted for gallantry in action; one whose zeal and conscientiousness 
have never been questioned, and whose life has been one of single- 
hearted devotion to his profession. 

(Signed) J. G. HARBORD, 
Major General, Commanding. 
3 InclB. 



HEADQUARTERS SERVICES OF SUPPLY 

France, December 20, 1918. 
From: Brigadier General Wm. D. Conner, 
To: The Adjutant General of the Army. 
Subject: Services of Colonel W. C. Brown, Cavalry. 

1. I am informed that Colonel W. C. Brown, Cavalry, reached 
the age of retirement yesterday, December 19th, and in accordance 
with policy, will be returned to the United States. I would like to 
record, as part of Colonel Brown's record, my appreciation of the 
great assistance that he rendered to me and to the office that I had 
in charge, G.-4, G. H. Q., A. E. F. 

2. In the latter part ofl917 we were very short of equipment 
and supplies of all kinds in France and were forced to use the utmost 
economy in their distribution and use. Colonel Brown was detailed 
as Inspector in the Quartermaster Depot, and as such was sent from 
one place to another inspecting organizations to see that they had 
their proper equipment, that they did not have a surplus thereof 



— 43 — 

and that their use of stores and supplies was economical and to the 
beat Interests of the Government. 

3. I know of no man in the Army who could have done this 
better than Colonel Brown, nor who could have entered into it with 
more zeal and energy than he did. His reports were made to the 
Chief Quartermaster but he invariably furnished my office with copies 
of the information acquired on these inspections, and frequently 
covered matters of importance, not strictly in the line of his duties 
as Quartermaster Inspector. During all the time that I was charged 
with the duty of G.-4, G. H. Q., I was deeply Indebted to Colonel 
Brown for the assistance he gave me, and feel that the government 
was very ably and efficiently served by him in a capacity for which 
he was most eminently suited by training and experience. 

4. I request that this be filed with Colonel Brown's record. 

(Signed) WM. I>. CONNER, 

Brigadier General. U. S. A. 

AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 

G. H. Q., Sec. 4, G. S.. 19, December, 1918. 
F'rom: Commander-in-Chief, 
To: Colonel William C. Brown, Cavalry. 
Subject: Commendation. 

1. Although very much your junior in the regular army, I cannot 
let the day of your retirement from active service pass without call- 
ing attention to your very unusual record. I first met you shortly 
after my entrance into the service and since that time we have 
served together at a number of places. During the last few months 
you have been on duty, which has been of the greatest assistance 
to me in my work, .although you are not directly a part of this office. 

2. Graduating from the Military Academy in 1877, you have during 
all these years devoted your entire life and energies to the service 
Most of us have families to whom we give a part of our time, con- 
sideration and love, but in your case your whole life has been devoted 
to the Government. You have thought of nothing but its welfare 
and in your devotion to duty, to the exclusion of everything else, you 
have set a most commendable example to us all. 

3. It would be impossible for me to refer, except in the very 
briefest way to your record, which includes the participation in 
several Indian campaigns, the Spanish-American War, the Philippine 
Campaigns, active service in Mexico, as well as special duties and 
studies which have taken you to Australia and South America. 

4. The service that you have rendered in connection with the 
operations of the Quartermaster Department in France have been of 
the greatest assistance, not only in the standardization of methods 
and Issues, but in the protection of government property as well. 
General Rogers has repeatedly commended the work you have done. 

5. As I look at you today, I cannot see that you have aged a bit 
in the last fifteen years and you certainly appear fully fit in every 
way for further active service in the field. 

6. Please permit me to congratulate you for all you have done 
for the service and I will consider it an honor if you will let this 
letter, bearing my signature, be placed on file with your record. 

By order of the C. in C. 

GEO. VAN HORN MOSEI.EY. 
Brigadier General, G. S.. Asst. Chief of Staff, G-4. 

Headquartors, 70tli Division, American E. F., 

July SI, 1918. 
From: Major General .1. K. Kuhn, N.A. 
To: The Adjutant General. 
Subject: Promotion of Colonel W. C. Brown, Cavalry. 

1. I desire to submit for favorable consideration my recom- 
mendation for the promotion of Colonel W. C. Brown, Cavalry, to the 
grade of Brigadier General, regular army, previous to his retirement 
from active service for age, which will occur December 19, 1918. 

2. Having been a member of the committee called upon to 
submit recommendations for promotions in the National Army, with 
a view to providing general officers for the increased military estab- 
lishment, I am familiar with the reasons for his name having been 
passed over, namel.s-, an unfavorable comment by a one time com- 



— 44 — 

manding officer, and his age. I was personally not fully satisfied 
that justice had been done Colonel Brown on that occasion, and in 
▼lew of his record and especially his service in France, feel that he 
is now entitled to consideration. 

3. I have known Colonel Brown for more that (than) twenty-five 
years, having been associated with him in service, when he was 
adjutant of the MilitaiT Academy, the impression I have formed of 
him is that he is a faithful, conscientious and hardworking officer. 

(Signed) J. E. KUHN, 
Major General, National Army. 



— 45 — 

MILITARY INVENTIONS, DEVICES AND EXPERIMENTAL 

WORK 
Automatic Correction for Drift 

During his 45 years of active service Col. Brown has done 
considerable voluntary experimental work outside of his regular 
routine duties, the first of which was to originate the automatic 
correction for the drift of the bullet in the Springfield rifle. This 
Idea was thought out when he was in the rifle contest by which 
he won a place on the Dept. of Missouri Rifle Team in 1883. The 
footnote to the report of the Chief of Ordnance for 1884, p. 110 
states that: 

"Lieutenant W. C. Brown, 1st U. S. Cavalry, proposed that 
drift lines or curves be marked on the leaf of the rear sight, 
Model 79, so that adjustment could be made for drift; on this 
basis for which credit is due him, the automatic arrangement 
was devised." This was done and as the text states, "it follows 
that correction for drift is thus secured automatically, requiring 
no thought or adjustment of the marksman for any range." 

This was not patented and since 1884 (with the exception of 
3 or 4 years in the 90s when the device was dropped but at the 
earnest solicitation of the riflemen of the Army was restored) 
in every aimed shot fired from the Springfield rifle the drift cor- 
rection has been automatically made; the saving in ammunition 
can therefore easily be imagined as well as the increase in the 
marksman's skill with the rifle. 

Range Finders 
When in Tasmania in 1906 Maj. Brown's attention was 
called to the merits of the Barr & Stroud self-contained base 
range finder. In 1911 he secured two of these expensive instru- 
ments, exhibited and explained their use to the officers and 
N. C. Os of a number of the regiments in the Ft. Sam Houston 
Maneuver Camp. He also instituted quite elaborate experiments 
both in day use and for night firing to demonstrate the efficiency 
of this instrument and the desirability of including it in the 
equipment of troops. The Dept. Comdr. (Gen. Duncan) in for- 
warding Lt. Col. Brown's report of this work in indorsement of 
19 Sept., 11 stated, 

"It is recommended that experiments alon^ the lines of those 
made by Lieutenant Brown herein described be extended. If after 
a wider ranpe of e.xperiment they be pronounced of value instruction 
along similar lines should be given." 

This work was described by Lt. Col. Brown in a professional 

article in the U. S. Cavalry Journal for Nov. 1911. See also 

"Necessity for a Pocket Range Finder" by Maj. Brown in U. S. 

Cav. Journal for Oct., 1904. 



— 46 — 

In 1903 Capt. Brown devised a method of folding tents to 
minimize wear in handling and transportation which was pub- 
lished in a circular to the Maneuver Div. at West Point, Ky., in 
Oct., 1903. 

In 1900 when Acting Inspector Genl. in the Philippines Maj. 
Brown proposed, and the War Dept. adopted, certain additions to 
the Company Monthly Return of Troops which added to the ac- 
curacy of these returns. 

Asbestos Stove Pipe Shield for Tents 

In the Winter Campaign against the Sioux 1890-91 Lt. Brown 
invented, and subsequently secured letters of Patent 511502 dat 
ed. 26 Dec, '93, on an Asbestos Stove Pipe Shield for Tents. This 
was devised under the stimulus incident to the inventor being at 
that time in camp with a temperature of 32° below zero. 

Lt. Col. J. C. Bates in forwarding Lt. Brown's communica- 
tion on this subject said, 

"I believe this to be a much needed improvement and its adoption 
would incur a very slight increase in the cost of a tent." 

The Dept. Comdr., Gen. W. Merritt indorsed on the same 

communication the following: 

"The device submitted herewith by Lieutenant W. C. Brown, 1st 
Cavalry, seems to me worthy of adoption. I believe it would save a 
large outlay of canvas every year. Lieutenant Brown should have a 
patent for it." 

The device was subsequently adopted by the Q. M. Dept. See 

cut herewith. 

^•'^.mT^^ This device is an ovaJ asbestos 

groAmet or ring inserted in the 
*^roof of a wall tent or night cap of 
'ithe conical wall or Sibley tent, 
through which the stove-pipe 
.^'passes. Being composed entirely 
of asbestos (a nonconductor), it 
•-insures the t^nt against danger of 
'fire from the stove-pipe. Being 
Sdit ind flexible, it easily folds with the tent and does not 
cut the canvas as is the case with tin. The unpleasant 
ccratching; so noticeable in windy weather, when a tin sbieldj 
'ts nsedL is avoided. - 

Aluminum for Military Equipments 
Lieut. Brown was one of the first officers to call attention to 
the use of Aluminum for such articles of equipment as canteens, 
cups, meat cans, spoons and other similar small articles of field 
equipment then made of heavier metals. Experiments were pur- 
sued between 1892 and 1896 and considerable data secured during 
a trip to Europe in 1894-5, an abstract of which was published in 
M L D. Series 8, pp. 229-236. A report by Lt. Brown on the ad- 
vantages to be obtained by the substitution of aluminum and its 




— 47 — 

alloys for brass and iron in the manufacture of certain articles 
of equipment received the following indorsements: 

"1ST ENDORSEMENT. 

Fort Assiniboine, Montana, April 24, 1892. 
Respectfully forwarded to the Assistant Adjutant General De- 
partment of Dakota. Lieutenant Brown claims advantages to be 
gained by substituting aluminum and its alloys for other metals in 
the manufacture of certain articles of Cavalry and Infantry equip- 
ment. I believe those claims well founded and the advantages are so 
important that I strongly recommend exhaustive trial of the accom- 
panying articles to be made with a view to testing their fitness for 
use in the army. (Signed) J. C. BATES, 

Lieutenant Colonel 20th Infantry, Commanding." 

"2ND ENDORSEMENT 
Headqrs. Dept., Dakota, St. Paul, Minn., April, 1892. 
Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant General of the Army in- 
viting attention to the within interesting communication and to the 
accompanying articles manufactured from aluminum with the request 
that they be given a proper test. It is believed that this metal 
possesses qualities in addition to its lightness that will prove of great 
value in the manufacture of certain parts of the equipment of the 
soldier and it is hoped that the creditable efforts of Lieutenant Brown 
in bringing the matter before the authorities will meet with the 
encouragement they deserve. (.'^igned) W. MERRITT, 

Brigadier General, Commanding." 

Feb. 21, 1911 Letters patent No. 985002 granted Maj. Brown 
for a Shelf Attachment for Tents, invented in 1910. Free use 
granted for the regular Army. 

Dec. 26, 1893, the Patent Office granted to Lieut. Brown Let 
ters Patent No. 511502 for a spur attachment for leggins de- 
scribed in U. S. Cav. Journal for Apr., 1904. (See cut). 




i^l\lft 



— 48 — 

PROFESSIONAL ARTICLES PUBLISHED 
Other than those already mentioned. 

Reorganization and Graded Retirement for Cavalry. U. S. 
Cav. Journal, Sept., 1896. 

The Military Academy & Education of Officers. Jour. M. S. 
I., July, 1895. 

Personal Equipment for Officers in the Field. Jour. M. S. I., 
Nov., 1893. 

Transportation for a Cavalry Regiment. U. S. Cav. Journal. 
Oct., 1915. 

Reduction of Paper Work in the Company. Jour. Mil. Ser. 
Inst., May, 1902. 

Notes on Cavalry Equipment, including method devised by 
Maj. Brown, by which the saber may be used as a Shelter Tent 
Pole. U. S. Cav. Journal, July, 1907. 

In Professional Notes, U. S. Cav. Journal, Jan., 1912, Lt. Col 
Brown recommends a method by which the Guidon Tip may be 
made a lance and thus virtually add a man to the troop. 

The Carbine vs. the Rifle. U. S. Cav. Journal, March, 1899. 

Company Target Reports. U. S. Cav. Journal, Oct., 1902. 

Company Target Records. U. S. Cav. Journal, April, 1904. 

Rifle Practice in Australasia. Journal Mil. Ser. Inst., Sept.- 
Oct, 1907. 

The Cavalry Pack, U. S. Cav. Journal, Jan., 1908. 

MARKMANSHIP QUALIFICATIONS 

Marksman Dept, Columbia, 1881. 
Marksman Dept., Mo., 1882 and 1883. 

Member Dept. Mo. Rifle Team, 1883. No. 10 with 70 com- 
petitors. 

Sharpshooter Dept., Mo., 1884. 
Marksman Dept. Dak., 1891. 
Sharpshooter Dept., Ariz., 1893. 
Sharpshooter Dept., Colorado, 1894 and 1899. 

CLUBS 

West Point Army Mess. 
1st and 3rd U. S. Cav'y. Clubs. 
Army & Navy Club, Washington. 
,^'■1 vArmy & Navy Club, New York. 
University Club, New York. 

Permanent Address, 875 Marion St., Denver, Colo. 



49 — 



APPENDIX. 

Between 1896 and 1898 the inequalities of regimental pno- 
motion had thrown Captain Brown so tar behind his classmates 
and others who had entered the service years later than him- 
self that he applied for appointment in the Adjutant General's 
Department. 

His application was supported by the following letters from 
well known officers of high rank and standing in the service. 

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI 

Chicago 111., November 4, 1896. 
The Adjutant General, U. S. Army, 
Washington, D. C. 

Sir — I take great pleasure in recommending to you, for promotion 
in your department. Captain W. C. Brown, 1st U. S. Cavalry, who, I 
am told is an applicant for the position. I have known Captain 
Brown for 15 years or more past, part of which time he has served 
with me for a season as Adjutant in the Military Academy at West 
Point, when I was Superintendent, and in the department of Dakota, 
While I was in command there. There is no one in my opinion who 
would fill the office that he seeks to the greatest satisfaction of the 
Army than Captain Brown. His length of service and prospects of 
promotion in the Cavalry are such as to justify his applying for the 
position he seeks. 

Very respectfully, 

WKST.EY MERRTTT, 
Major General, U. S. Army. 

Washington, D. C, November 10, 1896. 
Captain W. C. Brown, U. S. Cavalry: 

Dear Captain Brown — In order that I may contribute towards 
the perfection of your record of service, I feel it incumbent on me to 
state tliat when I was assigned to duty as Superintendent of the 
Military' Academy at West Point, I found you there serving as 
Adjutant of the Academy and Post, and performing the duties of 
Secretary of the Academic Board. 

That you performed all the duties of your position with great 
skill, ability, zeal and tact and to my entire satisfaction. 

The experience acquired during your tour of duty at the Academy, 
taken in connection with your varied service with troops in widely 
separated parts of the frontier, together with your service and stand- 
ing at the U. S. Infantry and Cavalry School, Fort Ijeavenworth. 
both as student and instructor, eminently fit you for the proper dis- 
charge of duties of the Adjutant General's Department, and I would 
unhesitatingly recommend your application for promotion in that 
department to the careful consideration of the Appointing Power. 

Wishing you success, I remain, ! 

Faithfully yours, 

JOHN G. PARKE, 
Colonel, Retired, Brevet Major General. 

OFFICE OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS 
Room 42, War Department 

Washington. D. C, November 21, 1896. 
To the Adjutant General, U. S. Army, Washington,: D. C. 

General — I have the honor to commend to the Secretary of War 
promotion to the grade of Major and Assistant Adjutant General. U. S. 
Army, Captain W. C. Brown, 1st Cavalry. IT. S. Army. 

Captain Brown was the Adjutant of the U. S. Military Academy 
during a portion of the period that I was in command of that insti- 
tution, • and came daily under my personal observation. 

He is an officer of the highest character, and most exemplary 
habits, an earnest student, an excellent soldier, industrious, con- 



— 50 — 

scientious, capable and courteous; he is equally at home with troops 
in garrison or in the field, or on staff duty at headquarters. His 
faithful service of nearly twenty years as an officer will, I trust, be 
sufficient to command him to your favorable consideration. 
Very respectfully, 

JOHN M. WILSON, 
Colonel of Engineers, U. S. A. 

Headquarters Department of the Columbia, 

Vancouver Barracks, Wash., Dec. 16, 1896. 

From a knowledge of his ability as a soldier, his experience and 
capacity as shown in the performance of staff duties, I am pleased 
to recommend Captain W. C: Brown of the 1st Cavalry for appoint- 
ment to the position of Assistant Adjutant General. 

I have known Captain Brown for a number of years, four of 
which he was a student and instructor at the Infantry and Cavalry 
School while I was in command of the same. By his untiring in- 
dustry, zeal and efficiency, he furnished valuable assistance in the 
organization and development of that institution and aided me greatly 
in my labors. Captain Brown is an efficient soldier; is possessed of 
an indomitable perseverance and energy; has excellent scientific 
attainments, and is a thorough gentleman in every respect. 

I believe him to be thoroughly equipped for service in the Ad- 
jutant General's Department. E g OTIS, 

Brigadier General, U. S. Army. 

November 16, 1896. 
To Whom It May Concern: 

I knew Captain Brown, 1st Cavalry, intimately during the four 
years (1881-1885) he spent as student and instructor at the U. S. 
Infantry and Cavalry School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and feel 
warranted in saying, without disparaging the merits of others, that 
he pursued whatever work was given him to do with a degree of 
fidelity and enthusiasm, as well as success, which was not excelled 
by any one at the institution. The staff of the school, of which I was 
a member, had also the utmost confidence in the soundness of his 
judgment. His deportment was always that of a gentleman of refine- 
ment and culture. I have reasons for believing that since quitting 
the school Captain Brown has greatly added to the stock of his 
theoretical professional knowledge and to his practical experience as 
a leader of troops. I therefore conclude that his equipment for any 
branch of the Military Staff, especially the Adjutant General's De- 
partment, is of the very best. 

(Signed) THEO. SCHWAN, 
Assistant Adjutant General. 

Headquarters Department of California, 

San Francisco, Calif., January 18, 1897. 
To the Honorable Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. : 

Sir — In considering the claims of officers of the army, eligible 
to fill the vacancies now existing in the Adjutant General's Depart- 
ment, I take the liberty of submitting the name of Captain W. C. 
Brown, 1st Cavalry. ! 

In the summer of 1878, I was in command of the 1st Cavalry 
and remained in command of the regiment for about three years. 

During that interval of time the regiment was more or less 
engaged in the Indian troubles in the Department of the Columbia, 
and it was then I first men Captain Brown (then lieutenant). I 
formed an exceeding high opinion of him and have since then 
watched his career with much interest. From this knowledge of him 
I take great pleasure in recommending him for the position of Major 
and Assistant Adjutant General. 

He is a gallant officer, zealous, painstaking and studious, well 
equipped in, and devoted to his profession. I consider him especially 
well prepared for the appointment he seeks, and am firmly of the 
opinion that should he receive it he will do honor to himself and to 
the service. 

Very respectfully, 

JAMES W. FORSYTH, 
Brigadier General, U. S. A., Commanding Department. 



— 51 — 

Governor's Offlce. U. S. Soldier's Home, 

Washington, D. C, April 9, 1897. 
This is to say that I have iinown Captain W. C. Brown, 1st 
Cavalry, ever since he entered the service. He has been on duty 
with me in the field against Indians. I know him to be a brave and 
active officer, and strictly attentive to duty, and I take pleasure in 
recommending him for the position of Major and Adjutant General, 
feeling that he would be a credit to that corps. 

(Signed) R. F. BERNARD, 
Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. A., Retired. 
Brevet Brigadier General, U. S. A. 

War Department, Inspector General's Office, 

Washington, D. C, November 17, 1896. 
Adjutant General, U. S. Army: 

General — I have the honor to say that I have known Captain W. C. 
Brown, 1st Cavalry, since his entrance into service, and know him to 
be well up in all of the details of his profession. A careful student 
of the military art, full or ardor and energy, and conscientious and 
zealous to a degree in everything he undertakes. His experience 
has been of a kind requiring detailed and accurate knowledge per- 
taining to the staff positions, and I think him well qualified for the 
duties of the Adjutant General's Department. 
Very respectfully, 

E. A. GARLINGTON, 
Major and Inspector General. 

Milwaukee, May 11, 1897. 
Major W. W. Armstrong: ! 

Dear Sir — I learn that you are moving in behalf of the appoint- 
ment of Captain W. C. Brown, 1st Cavalry, as Major of the Adjutant 
General's Department, and if I may speak from the point of view of an 
older soldier who has had much occasion to study his work and 
character, I beg leave to say that I know no man in the Army more 
deserving such an appointment. If high character, absolute fidelity, 
and most conscientious discharge of every duty are recommendations. 
Captain Brown has no superior. He has had long and large exper- 
ience in staff duty, notably as the Adjutant of the Military Academy 
under such admirable soldiers as Generals Merritt and Parke. 

He has served all over the wide west with his troop, the sternest 
work that fall.s lo the lot of our soldiers now-a-days. 

He is a model of discretion in the office and of diligence and 
efficiency in any capacity. I hope you may be successful. 
Very truly yours, 

(Signed) CHARLES KING. 

Captain, U. S. Army. 

Fort Monroe, Va., November 9, 1896. 
The Adjutant General, U. S. Army. Washington, D. C. : 

Sir — I have the honor to recommend Captain W. C. Brown, 1st 
Cavalry, as a very suitable officer for appointment in the Adjutant 
General's Department. I was serving at West Point when Captain 
Brown was Adjutant of the Military Academy, and have always had 
a great admiration for the very efficient and soldierly manner he 
discharged the duties of that important office. He is an excellent 
tactician and a close student in military affairs, is an indefatigable 
worker, zealous, thorough and always reliable. 
Very respectfully. Sir, 

Your obedient servant, 

H. C. HASBROUCK, 
Lieutenant Colonel, 4th Artillery. 

Washington, D. C, Dec. 1, 1896. 
To Whom It May Concern: 

Captain W. C. Brown. 1st Cavalry, has been well known to me 
for several years. He is an officer of intelligence and has proven 



— 52 — 

himself thoroughly capable and efficient in the discharge of all the 
duties that have devolved upon him. 

It gives me pleasure to commend him to the most favorable con- 
sideration for any advancement and promotion he may solicit. 

Very respectfully, 

J. C. GILMORE, 
Assistant Adjutant General. 

Presidio of San Francisco. Calif., Jan. 26, 1897. 
To the Adjutant General, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C: 

General— Understanding that Captain W. C. Brown, 1st Cavalry, 
is an applicant for the position of Major in the Adjutant General's 
Department, I especially recommend him for that position. 

Captain Brown, while 1st Lieutenant, served Fort Leavenworth, 
Kansas, several years while I was stationed there, and was at times 
under mv orders, being attached to the Light Battery I then com- 
manded or being detailed as Assistant Instructor in one of the depart- 
ments of which I had charge. 

Captain Brown is well fitted for the position he desires and I 
trust he will be selected. In my opinion Captain Brown is qualified 
to perform all of the duties with marked credit. 

He is in every way a good officer and certainly deserves con- 
sideration. Very respectfully. 

Four obedient servant, 

E. B. WILLISTON. 
Lieutenant Colonel, 3rd Artillery. 

Governor's Island, N. Y., Feb. 24, 1897. 
Adjutant General, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C: 

Sir — I have the honor to commend for an appointment of Assistant 
Adjutant General, Captain W. C. Brown, 1st Cavalry, who is an 
officer of marlted intelligence in his profession, and from what I 
personally know of him, he will, if appointed, honor the position 
he seeks. 

I am, respectfully, 

A. McD. MeCOOK, 
Major General, Retired. 

Fort Riley, Kansas, EVec. 3, 1896. 
The Adjutant General, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C: 

Sir— Understanding that Captain W. C. Brown, 1st Cavalry, is an 
applicant for the appointment as Assistant Adjutant General in the 
U. S. Army, it is with pleasure that I recommend him to the notice 
of the Honorable Secretary of War for the position he seeks. 

I have been acquainted with Captain Brown for a number of 
years and know him to be a very worthy officer. He is painstaking, 
industrious and zealous. 

His services have been such as to eminently fit him for the 
Adjutant General's Department, he having been Adjutant of the 
Military Academy, West Point, an honor graduate and instructor of 
the Infantry and Cavalry School, Fort Leavenworth, and at times 
employed in the Bureau of Information, War Department, Washing- 
ton. D. C. 

Very respectfully. 

Tour obedient servant, 

A. K. ARNOLD. 
Colonel 1st Cavalry, Commanding. 

Headquarters First Cavalry, 
Fort Meade, South Dakota, May 22, 1899. 
The Adjutant General, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C: 

Sir — Having reference to Section 6, G. O. No. 36 c. s.. War Depart- 
ment, A. G. O.. I have the honor to report that Captain William C. 
Brown, 1st Cavalry, has evinced marked aptitude in the command 
of troops, and therefore entitled to compete for any vacancy occurring 
in the Adjutant General's or Inspector General's Departments. 
Very respectfully, 

(Signed) ABRAHAM K. ARNOLD. 

Colonel 1st Cavalry, Commanding. 






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